Venezuela's Maduro Government Annuls Opposition Primary, Raises Doubts on Free Election Promise

Maduro Government Accuses Opposition of Inflated Voter Turnout Figures, Investigates Organizers for Potential Criminal Charges, and Bars Winning Candidate María Corina Machado from Office for 15 Years Amid Ongoing Economic Crisis.

• The Venezuelan government, under President Nicolás Maduro, annulled the opposition's primary election, accusing the opposition of inflating voter turnout figures and labelling the organisers as 'scammers' and 'thieves'.
• Venezuela's attorney general's office is investigating 17 members of the national and regional commissions that oversaw the voting, on allegations of identity theft, violating electoral functions, money laundering and criminal association.
• The opposition primary election had no official government support and was organized by civil society. Despite this, over 2.4 million Venezuelans cast their ballots, suggesting a high level of engagement for the general election slated for 2024.
• María Corina Machado, a veteran politician who won the primary with 93% of votes, has been barred from office for 15 years by the Maduro government, raising doubts about the commitment to a free election.
• The U.S. has lifted some sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry in response to Maduro's overtures but warns of restoring sanctions if the government doesn't reinstate prohibited candidates and abide by the agreement for a credible election.

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