Venezuela presidential opposition hopefuls call for unity, private investment

Maria Corina Machado, candidate of the Vente party, Tamara Adrian, candidate of the Unidos por la Dignidad party, Andres Caleca, candidate of the Movimiento por Venezuela party, Cesar Perez Vivas, candidate of the Centro Democratico party, Carlos Prosperi, candidate of the Accion Democratica party, Delsa Solorzano, candidate of the Encuentro Ciudadano party, Freddy Superlano, candidate of the Voluntad Popular party, and Andres Velasquez, candidate of the La Causa R party, pose at the end of a debate, in Caracas, Venezuela July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria

CARACAS (Reuters) - Candidates vying to carry the banner of Venezuela's opposition in presidential elections next year agreed at a debate on Wednesday that they must present a united front against the ruling party and work to boost the economy by attracting private investment.

The debate, the first between opposition hopefuls since 2011, was held as they await a ruling by the country's top court which could suspend the Oct. 22 nominating contest.