Maduro vows to fight corruption

Acting Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro has vowed to fight corruption following accusations by his election rival Henrique Capriles, days before the country’s presidential election.

The remarks by Maduro on Monday come days after Capriles accused ruling party officials of plundering the Latin American country’s oil wealth.

“I’m going to pursue corruption where ever it is. I’ll give my own life to combat corruption if it’s necessary,” Maduro said at a campaign rally in Maturin.

“We’ve got great challenges to overcome bureaucracy, corruption and indolence of some officials who turn a blind eye to the problems of the people,” he added.

Venezuela’s presidential election campaigns to replace late Hugo Chavez formally began on Tuesday. The election is to be held on April 14.

On March 25, Maduro accused political opponents of planning to sabotage Venezuela’s electricity grid and disrupt food contribution.

Speaking in an interview with the private television network Televen on March 17, Maduro also accused the Pentagon and the Central Intelligence Agency of formulating a plot to murder Capriles in order to destabilize Venezuela.

Maduro, 50, became Venezuela’s acting president on March 8, following the death of socialist leader Hugo Chavez, who lost a two-year battle with cancer on March 5.

Polls suggest that Maduro has a lead of 14 points over Capriles, with the remaining five candidates for the presidency trailing far behind.