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The South American country of Venezuela has been engulfed in a political and economic crisis for almost a decade with more than 7 million Venezuelans leaving the country to escape economic hardship and political repression.

President Nicolas Maduro was re-elected in 2018 in an election widely dismissed as neither free nor fair -- he has been accused of democratic backsliding, authoritarianism and a string of human rights abuses.

It's been announced there'll be new elections in July. Nicolas Maduro is expected to stand again.

But the opposition leader, Mar铆a Corina Machado, has been banned from holding office for alleged financial misconduct, which she denies. The US has threatened to reinstate economic sanctions if she is barred from running.

Candidates must be registered by next March 25, so Mar铆a Corina Machado is facing pressure to abandon her candidacy ahead of that deadline. Newsday asked her if she is willing to hand over leadership of the opposition if she is unable to run as a registered candidate in time.

"It's obvious Maduro fears the possibility of competing against me because he would have a landslide defeat... and he's trying to block me. I've been very clear they will not take us out of the electoral path. We are proposing a serious negotiation for a transition with guarantees and Maduro is refusing it. Our support is growing by the day."

"There are four managers of my campaign... being held prisoner. The consequences of Maduro staying by forces will be huge. Millions of Venezuelans... will flee if they lose hope of freedom and prosperity. This is a critical moment."

(Pic: Maria Corina Machado addresses supporters during a rally in Guacara, Carabobo State, Venezuela; Credit: Reuters)

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