Venezuela bans key opposition leader from running against MaduroApril 8, 2017 - 10:14 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Venezuelan authorities on Friday, April 7 banned a top opposition leader from public office for 15 years, the latest move in an increasingly tense power struggle in the crisis-hit country, AFP reports. Henrique Capriles was one of the leaders of mass demonstrations this week against socialist President Nicolas Maduro that led to clashes with police. One protester died. State comptroller Manuel Galindo imposed a "sanction of disqualification from exercising public office for a period of 15 years," his institution said in a ruling made public by Capriles himself. The ruling said the sanction was due to "administrative irregularities" by Capriles in his post as governor of the northern state of Miranda. Capriles rejected the move and insisted he would retain his post as governor, branding Maduro a dictator. "The only one who is disqualified in this country is Nicolas Maduro. They can stick their disqualification where the sun don't shine," he told a news conference. "If the dictatorship is squealing, it is a sign that we are making progress." The state authority's move effectively bans Capriles, a lawyer of 44, from running against Maduro in a general election due next year. If effective, it will remove from the political ring one of the most prominent contenders in the center-right opposition MUD coalition, which is pushing to remove Maduro from office. Capriles's allies vowed to push ahead with further protests planned for Saturday. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life, Strong Mind IDBank and Idram summarize the results of the May program of “The Power of One Dram”. Yerevan State University, Ucom sign Memorandum of Cooperation Rector of Yerevan State University Hovhannes Hovhannisyan and General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian signed the memorandum. EU to provide budgetary support to Armenia The agreement is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the educational system of Armenia. Aliyev: No peace treaty unless Armenia changes constitution Azerbaijan will not sign a peace treaty with Armenia unless the latter changes its constitution, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said. |