Half a dozen masked assailants ransacked the headquarters of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Friday in an escalation of violence against President Nicolás Maduro's opponents following the disputed presidential election. The raid occurred at around 3 a.m., Machado’s party said, adding that the assailants broke down doors and hauled away valuable documents and equipment. Images published by Machado’s party on social media show several walls covered in black spray paint. The raid follows threats by top officials, including Maduro, to arrest Machado, who has gone into hiding while still urging Venezuelans and the international community to challenge last Sunday’s election results. As Venezuela opposition calls mass protests over disputed election, FRANCE 24 is joined by Nicolas Forsans, Economist, Expert in Corporate Strategy, Professor and Co-Director of the Centre for Latin American & Caribbean Studies (CLACS) at the University of Essex.
