Venezuela's Maduro announces candidacy for July re-election

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro waves while arriving to an event in Caracas, Venezuela, March 5, 2024. Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS

CARACAS (Reuters) -Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro will run for a second re-election to secure another six-year term in voting planned for July 28, the ruling Socialist party said on Saturday.

Maduro, a 61-year-old former union leader, was proclaimed as the Socialist party's candidate by Vice President Diosdado Cabello, and took the stage at a large sports arena to address supporters.