Venezuela confirms the political expulsion of María Corina Machado, the opposition’s top candidate

The Venezuelan Comptroller General’s Office has confirmed that María Corina Machado has been disqualified from holding any public office for 15 years, starting from 2015.

Machado is the leading opposition candidate expected to win the presidential primaries.

This confirmation comes in response to a request made by a legislator on June 26, seeking information regarding Machado’s status of disqualification from public administration functions.

The document reveals that Machado’s sanction was imposed on July 13, 2015, through resolution 0100.

Furthermore, the Comptroller’s Office has identified errors and omissions in Machado’s sworn statements of assets during the audit process.

It also highlights Machado’s involvement, which is described as public and communicational, in a corruption scheme orchestrated by former opposition deputy Juan Guaidó, who self-proclaimed himself as the president of Venezuela in 2019.

Despite the attacks for her opponents, Machado had gained significant support, even from sectors that previously identified with chavismo.

Polls indicated that Machado is leading the voting intentions with a substantial percentage, far ahead of other candidates.

The opposition expects multiple leaders to register their candidacies for the primaries, to select a unity candidate to challenge Chavism in the 2024 presidential elections.

The possibility of the Supreme Court revoking Machado’s electoral registration raises concerns about the fairness of the electoral process in Venezuela.

This situation is reminiscent of Nicaragua’s electoral system, controlled by the Sandinistas, and Brazil’s ongoing trial regarding Jair Bolsonaro’s eligibility, where Lula da Silva appointed the majority of judges.

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