Venezuelan hardliner María Corina Machado barred from public office

The Venezuelan hardline opposition leader, María Corina Machado, has said she is barred from public office for a year, a move that could prevent her from becoming a congresswoman if she wins a seat in December’s parliamentary election. Machado has 15 days to appeal the decision, according to a letter from the comptroller’s office that she made public. The decision would still allow her to run for parliament. It was not immediately clear on what grounds she was barred and the comptroller’s office could not be reached to comment. The office has in the past disqualified candidates from holding public office for irregular use of public funds. Opposition leaders say these are excuses to sideline political opponents. More…