Venezuelan Supreme Court's Disqualification of Opposition Candidate Sparks Concerns Ahead of Presidential Election

The Venezuelan Supreme Court's recent decision to disqualify Maria Corina Machado, the winner of the democratic opposition primary, has raised concerns. The decision appears inconsistent with the commitment made by Nicolás Maduro's representatives to hold a competitive presidential election in 2024. The process of reinstatement lacked transparency, as Machado was not provided with a copy of the allegations against her and was denied the opportunity to respond.

This decision is troubling as it contradicts the commitments made under the Barbados electoral roadmap agreement, which aimed to allow all political parties to choose their presidential candidates. In response to this development and recent political targeting of democratic opposition candidates and civil society, the United States is currently reviewing its Venezuela sanctions policy. This situation underscores growing concerns about the fairness and transparency of the upcoming Venezuelan presidential election.