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. More…