Venezuelan opposition candidate shot dead at campaign event

[D.O.A.]

How convenient.

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

An attacker shot Luis Manuel Diaz dead on Wednesday evening in the central Guarico region at a campaign rally for the December 6 legislative elections, party officials said, ratcheting up fears that violence could erupt in the lead-up to the polls.

The event was also attended by Lilian Tintori, the wife of a jailed opposition leader and a high-profile critic of Maduro.

"They want to kill me," Tintori told a news conference later. "I hold Nicolas Maduro directly responsible."

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

Maduro has warned that if the opposition wins, his side is "politically and militarily prepared to deal with it" and would "take to the streets."

Killing ramps up fears of Venezuela poll violence

 

[Sev]

 

[Equal Hater]

We are very democratic here in Venezuela, so we will hold open elections and show the world our system is the best. Most likely all of the opposition will be dead, because they are all gangsters. Finally, if we lose I will use the military and police to make sure whoever wins (if it's not me) can never take office. Oh, we will also kill anyone protesting against this.

Signed: Maduro.