The debate, the first between opposition hopefuls since 2011, was held as they await a ruling by the country's top court which could suspend the Oct. 22 nominating contest. Venezuela's often divided opposition is seeking to dislodge President Nicolas Maduro, who has ruled the country since 2013. Three of the most high-profile of the 14 opposition hopefuls, Maria Corina Machado, Henrique Capriles and Freddy Superlano, have already been barred from holding public office. "We need leadership who will take the fight to the end." The hopefuls said private investors must feel confident returning to Venezuela, whose economy contracted for eight consecutive years until 2022, when it showed incipient growth which is already waning.

---

Persons: Maria Corina Machado, Tamara Adrian, Andres Caleca, Cesar Perez Vivas, Carlos Prosperi, Read, Luis Ratti, Nicolas Maduro, Maduro, Henrique Capriles, Freddy Superlano, Universidad Catolica Andres Bello, Machado, Superlano, Capriles, Delsa Solorzano, Vivian Sequera, Mayela Armas, Deisy, Julia Symmes Cobb, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: la, Movimiento por Venezuela, Centro Democratico, Accion Democratica, Universidad Catolica, Thomson Locations: CARACAS, United States, Venezuela