Maria Corina Machado Wins Venezuelan Opposition Primaries Amid Uncertainty Over Election Ban

Landmark victory for Machado in opposition primaries brings hope for fractured Venezuelan opposition, but lingering questions remain over the enforcement of her government-imposed public office ban.

Maria Corina Machado, an opposition frontrunner, has won the Venezuelan primaries with a massive 93% of the total votes. Despite this landslide victory, she is currently barred from public office due to previous claims of violating the constitution.
The ban on Machado's public office was a result of her calls for a military invasion and economic sanctions on Venezuela during the country's economic and humanitarian crisis. This ban has been a contentious point amidst negotiations between the US, Caracas, and main opposition parties.
Current Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro remains steadfast despite agreements that led to electoral guarantees for the upcoming 2024 presidential race and the suspension of some US sanctions. The picture remains uncertain for Machado's candidacy in 2024.
Machado's win in the primaries can mark a potential unification of the fractionalized Venezuelan opposition. However, acceptance of her leadership by large traditional opposition parties is yet to be determined. Previously, she has been sidelined in negotiations between the White House and Venezuela's presidential palace, Miraflores.
Arguments suggest that the primary, dominated by Machado supporters, may serve as a vindication act, risking the negotiated process between Washington DC, Caracas, and the opposition. Matters regarding Venezuela’s overseas assets, such as the refining giant Citgo, controlled by opposition parties, could be affected.