The decision by the Venezuelan Supreme Court on January 26 to disqualify the winner of the democratic opposition primaries, Maria Corina Machado, is not in line with the pledge made by Nicolás Maduro’s representatives to organize a competitive presidential election in Venezuela in 2024. The process of reinstating Machado lacked fundamental elements. She did not receive a copy of the accusations against her and was not given the chance to respond to them.
This troubling decision goes against the promises made by Maduro and his representatives under the Barbados electoral roadmap agreement, which aimed to allow all parties to choose their candidates for the presidential election. The United States is currently reassessing its sanctions policy towards Venezuela in light of this development and the recent targeting of democratic opposition candidates and civil society.
