CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s main opposition coalition agreed Friday to unite behind former diplomat Edmundo González as its challenger to President Nicolás Maduro in this summer’s election, acting one day before the deadline to formalize its candidate.
The decision was reached unanimously by the 10 parties in the Unitary Democratic Platform, Omar Barboza, the coalition’s executive secretary, said after a five-hour meeting that included discussions of other possible candidates.
The bloc had been allowed to provisionally register González on March 26 after the government came under a wave of criticism when opposition leaders said they were blocked from registering their candidate of choice. Saturday was the deadline to make his candidacy final.
The opposition group needed to replace its first candidate, María Corina Machado, who easily won a primary organized by the bloc in October but was barred by the government from running after the ruling party-controlled State Comptroller’s Office disqualified her from holding public office for 15 years.
Wesley Bryan has a big finish to restore lead at Puntacana on the PGA Tour
Multiple people shot outside Ramadan celebration in Philadelphia
China sanctions 2 US defense companies and says they support arms sales to Taiwan
Sabrina Impacciatore and Domhnall Gleeson join The Office spinoff in first casting announcement
VOX POPULI: Molds can make food colorful and tasty but they can also be lethal
Delhi smog: Years being taken off people's lives as China shows how to beat smog
China Philippines South China Sea: Chinese coast guard blasts neighbour's vessels with water cannons
Rangers option rookie Jack Leiter 1 day after he allowed 7 runs in his major league debut
Will Stonehenge lose its Unesco World Heritage status?
Erling Haaland is a doubt for Man City's FA Cup semifinal against Chelsea
House lawmakers reject renewal of key US intelligence program