Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles has been banned from holding political office for 15 years - a move sure to ratchet up tensions amid a growing street protest movement.
Capriles, a two-time presidential candidate and current governor of Miranda state, was seen as the opposition's best hope to defeat President Nicolas Maduro.
The national comptroller banned him from office due to "administrative irregularities", including breaking contracting laws and improper management of donations from the British and Polish embassies.
The punishment deals a blow to the opposition after stepped-up protests this week and accusations that Maduro, the unpopular hand-picked successor of the late Hugo Chavez, is leading the country to dictatorship.
Capriles responded to the measure in a defiant speech to supporters at a small Caracas sports arena.
"You can shove your disqualification where the sun doesn't shine," said Capriles, flanked by opposition leaders.
"This is not one person's struggle, this is not Capriles' struggle. This is the Venezuelan people's struggle."
The decision would also likely fuel anger before an opposition protest planned for Saturday after a string of violent marches, spurred by the Supreme Court assuming control of congress last week before an outcry forced it to retreat.
