Candidates prepare for Venezuelan opposition primary debate

On October 22, eight out of the 13 candidates vying for the Venezuelan opposition primary elections will participate in a debate.

The candidates will discuss their proposals for the country in the event they are elected to confront Chavismo in the 2024 elections.

The debate is organized by 37 social and student entities.

The participating candidates include María Corina Machado, Tamara Adrían, Delsa Solórzano, Andrés Caleca, Carlos Prosperi, César Pérez Vivas, Freddy Superlano, and Andrés Velásquez.

However, Roberto Enríquez, the Social-Christian candidate, expressed his willingness to participate but cited prior commitments abroad as the reason for his absence.

Notably absent from the debate is Henrique Capriles, a two-time candidate for the Venezuelan presidency.

Capriles voiced criticism on social media, stating that opposition leaders should focus on proposing alternatives and promoting unity instead of being caught in internal debates.

César Almeida, supported by the political party Unidad Política Popular 89 (UPP89), claimed that he was not invited to the event.

The debate is scheduled to take place at the Aula Magna of the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello (UCAB) in Caracas.

Independent candidates Gloria Pinho and Luis Farías also confirmed that they were not invited to the debate.

Farías inquired about the exclusion and was informed by the organizers that there was limited space on the debate stage.

Pinho attempted to seek clarification but did not receive a response, as the organizers were unresponsive to calls and messages.

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