Venezuela barring opposition candidate sends wrong message, says Blinken

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/File Photo

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (Reuters) - Venezuela's move to bar a leading opposition candidate from holding office sends a message that Caracas is not willing to hold free and fair elections next year, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday during a visit to neighboring Guyana.

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