STORY: Polls opened in Venezuela on Sunday (May 25) for an election of National Assembly lawmakers and state governors in a contest the opposition, which disputes the results of the 2024 presidential election, has said is a sham.

Some opposition figures are taking part, including former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, who is running for the National Assembly and has urged people to vote.

Electoral authorities and the country's top court backed Nicolas Maduro as last year's election winner, but have not offered ballot box level tallies of votes. The opposition, which has published detailed tallies, says its candidate roundly won, and international observers have said the vote was not democratic.

The opposition and rights groups have decried a brutal crackdown by the government, including arrests, since the 2024 election.

On Friday, two days before polls opened, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced the arrest of Juan Pablo Guanipa, a close ally of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, for allegedly leading a terrorist plot.

Seventy people, including foreigners, have been detained in the alleged plot to carry out attacks during Sunday's elections, Cabello said, adding that Guanipa also faces charges of money laundering and inciting hatred.

Officials regularly accuse the opposition of conspiring with countries such as the United States to commit terrorism, overthrow President Nicolas Maduro and attack Venezuela's power grid.

The opposition and Washington have always denied the accusations.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (MAY 25, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE POLLING STATION CHECKING INFORMATION BEFORE ENTERING

2. VARIOUS OF OMAIRA FLORES, A PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION WORKER, WAITING TO ENTER POLLING STATION

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION WORKER, OMAIRA FLORES, SAYING:

"We are proud to go out and participate in this type of electoral exercise, because it is essential to go out and vote for your candidate who will be performing their duties within the National Assembly."

4. VARIOUS OF LUIS MACHILLANDA, A RETIRED EDUCATION WORKER, VOTING

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RETIRED EDUCATION WORKER, LUIS MACHILLANDA, SAYING:

"Well, what I hope for is that, always, that renewal occurs, and well, that it works. For me, it's for the good of the country, that everything works. This is a very beautiful country, the people, everyone, improving what's present, and that's why I do it, so that things work as they should."

6. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE VOTING

7. PEOPLE LINED UP TO ENTER POLLING STATION

8. TEÓFILA PINTO, A CARACAS RESIDENT, IN POLLING STATION

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CARACAS RESIDENT, TEÓFILA PINTO, SAYING:

"And well, the call is for the population to come and vote and participate, to support our President Nicolas Maduro."

10. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE VOTING

11. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CHECKING INFORMATION OUTSIDE POLLING STATION

12. SOLDIER OUTSIDE POLLING STATION

13. LINE OF VOTERS ENTERING POLLING STATION

14. EXTERIOR OF POLLING STATION