Venezuela election row

A GROUP of masked assailants ransacked the headquarters of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado yesterday in the latest escalation of violence against opponents of Nicolas Maduro following the country’s disputed presidential election.

The raid occurred about 3am, Ms Machado’s party said, adding assailants broke down doors and hauled away valuable documents and equipment.

Images published by Ms Machado’s party on social media show walls covered in black spray paint.

The assault comes as top officials, including Mr Maduro himself, have threatened to arrest the opposition leader, who has gone into hiding as she seeks to rally Venezuelans and the international community to challenge last Sunday’s election results.

The Biden administration backed the opposition, recognising last minute candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the victor, discrediting the official results of the vote proclaiming Mr Maduro the winner.