The Guardian reports government attacks against Capriles

British newspaper The Guardian reported attacks by members of the ruling party against the candidate of the opposition umbrella group Unified Democratic Panel (MUD), Henrique Capriles Radonski in the last few weeks.

"Allies of Hugo Chávez have begun a smear campaign against the opposition's candidate for the Venezuelan presidency Henrique Capriles Radonski under the fear that the supporters of the opposition candidate could face reprisals in their jobs and personal lives."

President Chávez' supporters have been casting doubt on the legitimacy of the vote to select Capriles as opposition candidate, questioning his sexuality and disparaging his Jewish roots after his victory at the Democratic Unity alliance's primary on Sunday.

Top government officials and state-run media have led the attack, denouncing the governor of the state of Miranda as "bourgeois" and "fascist," The Guardian said, as quoted by Reuters.

The British paper reported comments by the first Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and speaker of the National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello: "Now we know who is the candidate of imperialism, of capitalism and the right wing," he said.

The Guardian noted that Capriles is the grandson of Jews who survived the Holocaust in Poland. The leader of Primero Justicia (First Justice) party defines himself as an advocate of free market economy and a center-left progressive.

"The most furious accusations have come from state media commentator Mario Silva, who often targets Chávez's foes. Silva insulted opposition leaders and then read out an alleged police document reporting that Capriles was arrested after having sex in a car with another man in 2000." Capriles denied the allegation and said the document was falsified. Police have not made any comments.

Another state radio anchor, Adal Hernandez, wrote a profile of Capriles, highlighting his Jewish roots and entitled: "The Enemy Is Zionism." Capriles, a practicing Catholic, has not made any comments.