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With Venezuela's elections a little more than a week away, the latest polls from Hinterlaces show lead opposition candidate Henri Falcon inching forward, but President Nicolas Maduro still in a solid lead.
Vote intention put Maduro at 47 percent, trailed by Henri Falcon at 34 percent. Javier Bertucci comes in third at 14 percent.
During a campaign speech on Saturday, Maduro emphasized that he would continue working to restore economic stability to the country, but that this would be a difficult battle that must be carried out without interference from organizations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“Everything we are doing and will continue to do after May 20, is working to achieve growth, stability, prosperity and economic peace,” Maduro said. “Venezuela is independent of the IMF, let them go to hell!”
On Wednesday Bertucci announced he won't step down to support a unified opposition candidacy led by Henri Falcon.
"It would be a huge lie to meet with the other candidate and tell him that my votes are going to go for his candidacy, because they won't," Bertucci said.
The right-wing opposition coalition known as the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) has called on its supporters to boycott the elections and abstain from voting.
Chavismo continues to be the most powerful political force in Venezuela, with Nicolas Maduro continuing the legacy of former president Hugo Chavez.
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