Venezuela’s Opposition Planning February Primaries, Leader Says
- Barred from running, Capriles still hopeful if selected
- ‘We have to get this rolling,’ Capriles says in an interview
Henrique Capriles, opposition leader and governor of the state of Miranda, speaks in Caracas on Oct. 11, 2017.
Photographer: Wil Riera/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Venezuela’s Henrique Capriles Radonski said groups within the fragmented political opposition are trying to organize primaries to elect a new leader that could happen as soon as February.
As the country prepares for presidential elections next year, a unified head would benefit the demoralized opposition following losses in local and regional elections in which President Nicolas Maduro’s party won by a landslide. The coalition is at its lowest point in years as Maduro wields his control over institutions and public coffers to stymie his opponents just four months after major street protests appeared to threaten his presidency.