Opposition leader shot to death in Venezuela

Luis Diaz, leader of the opposition Democratic Action party in Guarico state in Venezuela’s central plains, was shot during a public meeting Wednesday night in the latest of several violent incidents during the campaign.

The Democratic Unity coalition said three other opposition politicians had also been victims of aggression in recent days, including Henrique Capriles, who lost the 2013 presidential vote to Maduro after the death of former leader Hugo Chavez.

Ramos, whose party is part of the conservative opposition MUD coalition, said the shots were fired by members of an armed gang that is part of the governing leftist PSUV party, adding that violence by those groups is “on the rise”.

The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) condemned Wednesday’s killing and rejected “all forms of violence that could affect the normal development of the electoral process”.

The 12-country regional bloc, which is sending observers to monitor the elections, called on authorities to carry out “a thorough investigation into this reprehensible act, with an objective of avoiding impunity”.

The killing of the opposition leader has drawn condemnation from governments and organizations, including the U.S. State Department.

Tintori as well said she was harassed while trying to participate in a rally in Cojedes.

November 24, 2015: Singed flyers promoting opposition congressional candidate Marialbert Barrios is seen on top of a trash pile at the Catia neighborhood, in Caracas, Venezuela. Afterwards he presented photographs of hooded men he said were carrying guns.

Polls have indicated Maduro’s government could lose its majority in the National Assembly in next month’s vote, potentially weakening his grip on power.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Thursday the shooting death of an opposition leader appeared to be a gangland score-settling, dismissing claims it was politically motivated ahead of key elections.

Venezuela’s oil-rich economy has suffered recently from a plunge in crude prices and runaway inflation, which have fueled violent crime and political tension.