The socialist leader was re-elected in 2018 in a vote criticized by the opposition and much of the international community as unfair. López, Guaidó’s political mentor, was detained in 2014 for leading anti-government protests and sentenced to nearly 14 years in jail. The government is likely to use the takeover of Popular Will and other opposition parties to provide a façade of democratic participation in the upcoming elections, Gunson said. Though the party's registration was revoked, the all-powerful Constitutional Assembly could pave the way for its inclusion in the upcoming elections with the newly appointed leadership. Seeing the traditional opposition parties on the ballot – despite being filled with Maduro-aligned minority factions – could give voters without access to information a misleading idea of whom they are actually casting a ballot for.

Source: International New York Times July 07, 2020 19:07 UTC