After reaching an agreement with the opposition, Maduro’s government released five political opponents; The US eased sanctions against Venezuelans
Venezuela released five political prisoners, including opposition leaders, in the early hours of this Thursday (October 19, 2023), following an agreement between the government of President Nicolás Maduro and the opposition to hold presidential elections in the second half of 2024 was.
On Wednesday (10/18), US President Joe Biden’s administration eased sanctions imposed during the Donald Trump administration on the Venezuelan oil and gas industry in response to the electoral agreement between the Maduro government and the opposition (Oct. 17). .
The agreement between Maduro and his political opponents stipulates that presidential elections will be held under international observation in the second half of 2024. However, it does not allow the reinstatement of opposition candidates such as Maria Corina Machado, who are prevented from holding public office.
The decision not to reinstate the candidates impacts Sunday’s (October 22) primaries, in which Venezuelans will elect the opposition representative who will run for president against the current president.
The U.S. has given Maduro until the end of November to lift restrictions on all opposition presidential candidates and release political prisoners and Americans unjustly imprisoned in the country, according to a statement from Secretary of State Antony Blinken.