Venezuela opposition expels Henri Falc贸n over poll decision

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Henri Falc贸n was governor of Lara state

Venezuela's opposition has expelled a former state governor after he said he would stand against President Nicol谩s Maduro in April's election.

The Democratic Unity opposition coalition is boycotting the vote.

It said Henri Falc贸n was wrong to validate what it called a fraudulent electoral system.

Mr Falc贸n defended his decision, saying he wanted to defeat a government that had "promised Venezuelans paradise, but given them hell".

Henri Falc贸n was a close ally of the late President Hugo Chavez but later joined the opposition.

"We repudiate the unilateral registration of Henri Falc贸n," Democratic Unity said on Twitter, referring to the election as a "farce".

Mr Falc贸n, who was governor of Lara state from 2008 until last year, said he wanted to stand "on behalf of millions of Venezuelans who want to live in dignity".

He said he offered "a government of national unity... that can save us from the misery to which this incompetent government has taken us".

Venezuela is going through a protracted political and economic crisis.

It has suffered for years from high inflation and a chronic shortage of food and medicines.

President Maduro has said elections would be held "with or without" the Democratic Unity opposition coalition, which he accused of "erratic conduct".