Venezuelan govt signs deal with opposition under US pressure for free and fair elections

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government has signed an agreement with the country's opposition that could pave the way for some relief from oil-related US sanctions in return for commitments to hold a free and fair election next year, report agencies.

In a ceremony held in Barbados, the government of Venezuela and the country's opposition reached an agreement on Tuesday to schedule presidential elections for the second half of 2024.
The United States has long said it would lift some of its sanctions in exchange for democratic concessions from Venezuela's socialist president.

Primary elections are set to take place in Venezuela on Sunday, where candidate Machado is expected to win. However, some opposition leaders, including Machado, are currently barred from holding public office.

Maduro, president since 2013, is expected to run for re-election but has not yet formalized his candidacy. His government has banned prominent opposition figures from running.

If Washington agrees to the terms, it could provide much-needed relief to President Maduro by easing oil sanctions, which have restricted oil exports to the US since 2019. The Biden administration began gradually lifting some restrictions on Venezuela's oil sector last year.

The Barbados agreement specifies that international observers from the European Union and the United Nations

The parties also agreed Tuesday to invite electoral observers from the European Union, United Nations, U.S.-based Carter Center and other organizations to oversee the upcoming vote in 2024.

US, EU, Canada and UK officials in a joint statement said Tuesday's agreement is a necessary step in the "restoration of democracy in Venezuela." It also called "for the unconditional release of all those unjustly detained, the independence of the electoral process and judicial institutions, freedom of expression including for members of the press, and respect for human and political rights."

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