The government of Nicolas Maduro has been criticised for barring potential challengers from seeking office.

The government of Nicolas Maduro has been criticised for barring potential challengers from seeking office.
Opposition rejects the Western choice for president, Juan Guaido, leaving Nicolas Maduro firmly in power.
Incoming left-wing president Lula has signalled he will seek to repair relations with the Maduro government.
Discussions in Mexico on Saturday to touch on humanitarian aid, US authorisation for Chevron to operate in Venezuela.
Nicolas Maduro and Gustavo Petro holding talks in Caracas as neighbouring countries repair relationship severed in 2019.
Human rights groups welcome two-year extension of UN mission, which Caracas condemns as ‘designed for interventionism’.
Easing of restrictions comes as neighbouring countries seek to normalise relations after years of tension.
Judge’s ruling upholds a 2019 decision by the World Bank awarding billions to US oil giant over asset expropriation.
Countries will name ambassadors when Colombia’s President-elect Gustavo Petro takes office next month, officials say.
Temporary Protect Status extension shields Venezuelans in US as of March 2021 from deportation for 18 more months.
The limited changes will allow Chevron Corp to negotiate its licence with the state-owned oil company, PDVSA.
For years, the bolivar drifted towards irrelevancy as locals embraced the use of the US dollar.
Nicolas Maduro agrees to give visas to ICC officials investigating alleged crimes against humanity during 2017 protests.
The bolivar has traded at a rate of around 4.5 to $1 for the past four months.