Venezuelan Opposition Leader Murdered Weeks before Election

Luis Manuel Diaz, a local official for the Democratic Action Party, was shot dead at a campaign rally in the Venezuelan town of Altagracia de Orituco on Nov. 25, just two weeks before Venezuela’s parliamentary elections. Diaz was part of an opposition coalition that poses the strongest challenge in sixteen years to the socialist government. With Venezuela’s oil boom ending, the promises of its current political leaders for a brighter future are falling on deaf ears.

Opposition politicians have reported that their candidates are being targeted in the lead-up to the election. The BBC reports that incidents have occurred in state of Miranda, as well as in the capital, Caracas.

Accusations blaming the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), which currently holds the majority in the National Assembly, have been rebuffed. According to CNN, PSUV officials instead blame the murder on a dispute between gangs but have made no arrests.

The U.N. Human Rights Commissioner (UNHRC) has nevertheless expressed concern about the safety of political opponents and any individual who questions the state. The UNHCR has joined dozens of human rights groups,the U.S., and the South American regional bloc UNASUR in criticizing Maduro’s government.

The Inquirer reports that on Thursday, the Venezuelan President publicly promised a full investigation of the murder. But in the same speech, Maduro did not miss the opportunity to shift the focus toward the UNHCR. “Mr. Trash,” he said, “I’m waiting for you to apologize for meddling in our affairs.”