Deadline Approaches for Maduro Regime to Reinstate Venezuela’s Machado

Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro has until November 30th to reinstate opposition leader Maria Corina Machado as a potential candidate in the upcoming 2024 Venezuelan elections. 

The deadline was set by the US State Department in exchange for not imposing oil sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports. 

As reported by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres, President Joe Biden’s administration agreed to partially lift economic sanctions maintained against Venezuela. 

The sanction relief followed a deal between representatives of the Maduro regime and the Venezuelan opposition paving the way for freer presidential elections.

However, on June 30th, the Venezuelan government barred Machado from participating in the upcoming elections. Maduro’s regime cited Machado’s support for US sanctions against Venezuela and former regime opponent Juan Guaido as justifying her ban.

Machado termed her ban as “useless” and as eroding the already decimated rule of law in Venezuela. 

In early October, Maria Corina Machado emerged overwhelmingly victorious from the primary elections despite Maduro’s ban of her candidacy. Venezuela’s Supreme Court-manipulated by Maduro-subsequently nullified the results of the primary.

Given Maduro’s antidemocratic actions, the US has given Maduro until November 30th to fully reinstate Machado and touted potential sanctions if Maduro prevents free and fair elections. 

Since then, scores of public officials and political leaders have suggested terminating the deal and punishing Venezuela with renewed sanctions. 

Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fl) called for the US to backtrack sanction relief given Venezuela’s recent actions. 

“Let there be no doubt: Maduro had no intention of upholding the Oct 17th agreement & the result of the elections. The U.S. should reverse all sanctions relief,” said Senator Rubio.

 

For now, the Maduro regime has not signaled whether they will be reinstating Machado. If sanctions are to be avoided, however, Maduro must make his decision prior to this Thursday.