The leader of Venezuela’s opposition, which is preparing for elections, is urging people to remain calm

The presidential election of this Latin American country will be held on July 28, and candidates can be nominated from March 21 to 25.

President Nicolas Maduro, who has been in office for 11 years, will seek a third term. Under his rule, Venezuela has been subject to sanctions, a collapsed economy and accusations of widespread repression.

Polls show that MC Machado, who won the opposition primary in a landslide, is likely to beat Maduro.

But pro-Maduro courts have removed her from office over corruption charges widely dismissed as unfounded and her support for Western sanctions against Maduro’s government.

“I wish every Venezuelan to be calm and believe that I will make the right decisions in the future. Moving forward calmly and firmly, never retreating,” MC Machado said in a video posted on social media.

“The regime wants to compete with fake opposition candidates chosen by the Chamber of Miraflores [prezidentūros] leadership,” said MC Machado, who is continuing the election campaign.

56-year-old MC Machado did not specify his plans.

She accused Mr. Maduro of violating the agreement signed last year in Barbados by the government and the opposition to hold a free and fair vote in 2024 with the participation of international observers.

“The international community is committed to the Barbados Agreement and has made it clear that free and fair elections must be held this year based on the candidacy of the people,” said MC Machado.

In January, she said the Barbados deal had “suffered a fatal blow” after officials said they had foiled a series of US-backed plots to kill Maduro.

The National Electoral Council (CNE) said it would invite election observers from the European Union and the United Nations, the US-based non-governmental Carter Center, the BRICS group of countries and the African Union, although formal invitations have not yet been sent.