Venezuela has announced it will hold presidential elections on 28 July – months earlier than expected.
President Nicolás Maduro, who has been in power for 11 years, is widely expected to seek re-election.
His opponent, María Corina Machado, is banned from holding office for alleged financial misconduct, which she denies.
Last year, the government and the opposition in the South American nation agreed to hold elections in 2024 and invite international observers.
The 2018 elections – when Mr Maduro was declared a winner – had been widely dismissed as neither free nor fair.
The election date announcement was made by Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) on Tuesday.
CNE head Elvis Amoroso said council members had unanimously chosen the July 28 from nearly 30 other possible dates.
Candidates have until 25 March to register.
