MIAMI.- The Biden administration, the current US government, insists on being willing to alleviate the sanctions oil companies Venezuela whether the Nicolás Maduro regime responds “positively to significant measures” that lead to the full implementation of the Agreement Barbados, which contemplates as a central point elections free and inclusive in the South American country.
The ambassador of the US External Office for Venezuela, Francisco Palmieri, expressed that the Joe Biden Administration “remains open” to relief, after meeting with American businessmen, as indicated in the account of the diplomatic institution on the X network.
It is the second time that the Biden government urges the Venezuelan regime to comply with the Barbados Agreement, signed in October 2023, after last April 18 it reported its decision to partially reverse the sanctions, noting that Maduro would be failing to fulfill the electoral commitments made, in the face of the presidential elections.
The CNE associated with the regime did not allow the registration of the opposition primary candidate, María Corina Machado, due to her illegal disqualification; nor that of her appointee, academic Corina Yoris, on March 25, despite the deadlines established in the electoral schedule.
Despite these facts, the Biden government indicated in April that “the fulfillment of the commitments by the Maduro regime and decisions will be made on how to proceed.”
Towards free elections?
The Barbados Agreement establishes, among the fundamental points, that “it will allow the aspirations of any political actor without more limitations than those established by the Constitution and the law”, in addition to the holding of elections in 2024 and electoral observation in the country, after holding primaries with guarantees.
Although the CNE accepted, even outside the period, the nomination and registration of the diplomat Edmundo González Urrutia as presidential candidate of the unitary opposition, specialists in the electoral issue have pointed out inconsistencies and irregularities throughout the electoral process organized by the organization. , to the detriment of the holding of free and transparent elections that guarantee the participation of opposition forces.
In addition to non-compliance with electoral schedule prepared by the CNE itself, and the opacity of information, experts highlight the obstacles to the Registration of voters abroad, promoted by the regime, 82 days before the elections.
During the month that the Special Day for Registration and Updating of the National and Abroad Electoral Registry lasted, which ended on April 16, specialists revealed discouraging data for the exercise of the political rights of Venezuelans abroad.
Of the 4.5 million registered voters residing abroad, approximately 1,851,508 will be able to vote. However, more than 40% will not be able to exercise their right to vote due to the closure of Venezuelan diplomatic offices. Among them are 37,000 in the US and 5,000 in Canada, countries with which the country does not have diplomatic relations. Added to these are voters residing in Ecuador, where the regime closed its consulates in both the city of Quito and Guayaquil.
In addition, only 508 new voters managed to register and 6,000 had their change of residence processed, according to specialists.
Source: With information from La Patilla, MundoUR, CNE
