María Corina Machado is winner of Venezuela opposition primary that the government has denounced

Venezuelan government critic María Corina Machado was declared the winner Thursday of an opposition-organized primary to choose a presidential candidate, in polling last weekend that was denounced by the self-proclaimed socialist government as illegitimate. The voting Sunday organized by the National Primary Commission drew more than 2.4 million voters in Venezuela and abroad and was aimed at choosing a candidate to run against President Nicolás Maduro next year. Prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into primary organizers on charges including identity fraud and usurping authority, and on top of that the government has maintained a ban on Machado running for office.