Maria Corina Machado Declared Winner of Venezuelan Opposition Primary Amid Government Objections and Investigation

Venezuelan government launches probe into primary while U.S. threatens to reinstate sanctions over Machado's public office ban and detention of political prisoners; Machado wins over 93% of 2.4 million votes cast in primary.

• Maria Corina Machado, a critic of the Venezuelan government, was declared winner in the opposition's primary election for presidential candidacy, securing approximately 93% of the over 2.4 million votes cast.
• Despite the Venezuelan government's initial assurance that the opposition would be allowed to select a candidate, it has questioned the legitimacy of the primary election and launched a criminal investigation into primary organizers on charges like fraud and usurping authority.
• In response to Machado's victory and the government's consequent probe and ban on her running for office, the U.S. threatened to reinstate sanctions that were relaxed last week based on the government's pledge for a fair election in 2024.
• Jorge Rodriguez, president of the ruling party's legislature, cautioned foreign diplomats against interference in Venezuelan internal affairs and claimed that the primary violated electoral rules, as it was conducted without the involvement of the electoral authorities.
• Machado countered by stating that the investigation into the primary is a clear violation of a recent agreement made in Barbados, and believes that the government is already in breach of this agreement, which was intended to lead to clean and free elections in 2024.

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