Venezuela's Electoral Authority Blocks Opposition Candidates, Maduro's Candidacy Confirmed

Venezuela faces a contentious presidential election as key opposition candidates are blocked from registering, while President Maduro secures his candidacy amid allegations of electoral manipulation.

Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) prevented opposition candidate Corina Yoris from registering, while allowing Enrique Márquez, a moderate politician, to enter the race.
María Corina Machado, a leading opposition figure, was disqualified from running, leading to the nomination of Corina Yoris as her substitute, who was also blocked.
President Nicolás Maduro officially registered his candidacy for reelection, amid a rally in Caracas, as he seeks a third term in office.
International and domestic criticism mounts over the electoral authority's actions, with allegations of computer glitches and technical failures cited as reasons for blocking opposition candidates.
Several countries and the UN express concern over the fairness of the upcoming July elections, as Maduro's government faces accusations of authoritarianism and crackdown on the opposition.