Venezuela blasts U.S. for critique over barred opposition candidate

FILE PHOTO: Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado participates during a march ahead of the October presidential primary, in Caripito, Monagas State, Venezuela March 28, 2023. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's government on Saturday said it rejected the U.S. stance around the South American country's upcoming elections, calling it "interference," a day after the U.S. criticized Venezuela's decision to disqualify an opposition candidate.

Maria Corina Machado, one of the favorites to win the Venezuelan opposition's nomination for president in an October primary, has been barred from holding public office for 15 years.