Venezuela’s Maduro Warns Election Deal with Opposition Could Collapse, According to Reuters

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro expressed concerns on Thursday that an agreement with the political opposition to hold elections later this year is at risk of collapsing. This warning follows what he has termed “conspiracies” aimed at undermining his government.

Last year, Maduro’s administration reached a consensus with the opposition during discussions in Barbados to schedule elections for the latter half of this year. As a result, the United States temporarily eased its stringent oil sanctions on Venezuela. However, U.S. officials have emphasized that this relief hinges upon Caracas lifting bans on political opponents from holding public office, as well as the release of political prisoners and unjustly detained Americans.

Venezuela has not yet rescinded the ban on Maria Corina Machado, the opposition’s presidential candidate. Recently, Maduro claimed that numerous alleged conspiracies against him and senior officials had been thwarted last year, leading to the arrest of nearly three dozen civilians and military members. U.S. officials expressed worry over these arrests, which included opposition figures.

In a televised statement, Maduro remarked, “Today the Barbados agreements are mortally wounded, they’re in intensive care, they were stabbed, kicked.” He continued, expressing hope that the agreements could be salvaged and that genuine consensus could be reached through dialogue.

The recent detentions of opposition members could jeopardize the agreements and prompt the re-imposition of sanctions. Additionally, this situation poses a threat to Machado’s electoral prospects, particularly after she formed an alliance to bolster her campaign earlier this week.