Venezuela opposition candidate says he will guarantee political freedom

Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez addresses supporters during a rally in La Victoria, Aragua State, Venezuela May 18, 2024. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria

LA VICTORIA, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez said on Saturday he will ensure all political parties are free to operate if he unseats President Nicolas Maduro in a July vote, and he urged the military to uphold the country's institutions as intended by the constitution.

Gonzalez, a former ambassador to Algeria and Argentina, was named by the Unitary Platform opposition coalition in April as its candidate after a ban against landslide primary winner Maria Corina Machado's holding office was upheld by the Supreme Court.