New York – The government and opposition in Venezuela have reportedly reached an agreement on new electoral conditions. Once the deal is signed on Tuesday, it is expected to trigger relief from U.S. energy sanctions imposed on President Nicolás Maduro’s administration. The outline of the agreement includes opening up the electoral process, allowing European Union observers, and creating a mechanism to lift bans that have prevented top opponents from running for president. These measures aim to level the playing field, which has long been criticized as unfair.
It should be noted that if President Maduro fails to uphold his end of the agreement, the sanctions will be reinstated. This was confirmed by a reliable source familiar with the details who preferred to remain anonymous until the agreement was finalized.
The government and opposition were set to resume their dialogue in Barbados under the mediation of Norway. However, it seems that an agreement is already within reach, as a signing ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
In 2021 and 2022, Mexico hosted multiple rounds of talks between the two sides. During their last meeting in November 2022, they agreed to establish a U.N.-managed fund to support essential programs in health, food, and education for the underprivileged. In return, the U.S. government allowed oil giant Chevron to resume pumping Venezuelan oil.
Although negotiations have been attempted by Colombia and other countries in recent months, President Maduro has insisted on the lifting of economic sanctions and unfreezing of Venezuelan funds held overseas as prerequisites for resuming talks.
Norway released a statement on Monday, stating that both sides had agreed to resume the dialogue with the aim of reaching a political agreement.
President Maduro, speaking on national television on Monday evening, affirmed their commitment to moving forward with or without sanctions. He expressed confidence in overcoming any challenges that may arise, demonstrating Venezuela’s determination to progress.
U.S. State Department Support for Venezuelan Negotiations
The U.S. State Department has expressed its support for the ongoing negotiations in Barbados, aimed at resolving the political, social, and economic crisis in Venezuela. The department’s spokesperson, Matthew Miller, highlighted the U.S. government’s commitment to uniting the international community in backing this Venezuelan-led negotiation process.
However, a U.S. official, who preferred to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations, clarified that there is no specific “deal” between the U.S. government and Venezuela. The Biden administration is instead focused on supporting the Venezuelan-led negotiations and is ready to consider providing sanctions relief in response to concrete actions that pave the way for competitive elections.
The dialogue officially began in September 2021 but hit a roadblock in October 2021 when President Maduro’s delegates withdrew from the negotiations. This withdrawal occurred after the extradition of Colombia-born businessman Alex Saab on money laundering charges from Cape Verde to the U.S. President Maduro insisted on the release of Saab as a condition for resuming the talks.
The root causes of Venezuela’s crisis can be traced back to a combination of factors, including a global drop in oil prices, mismanagement by the socialist administration, and government repression of its opponents. Over the past decade, Venezuela has experienced significant political, social, and economic instability. Despite a brief period of relative economic stability, the country is once again grappling with soaring food prices, business closures, and a new wave of emigration.
Norway’s recent announcement regarding the negotiations was met with enthusiasm by some members of the Venezuelan opposition. Among them is Luis Florido, a former exiled opposition lawmaker, who emphasized that negotiations offer Venezuelans an opportunity to restore democracy through peaceful means. Florido acknowledged that compromises would be necessary but believed that progress could be made through dialogue.
It is worth noting that previous election observation efforts have not deterred the Venezuelan government from resorting to old tactics. Even with the deployment of dozens of European Union observers during the 2021 regional elections, the government still disqualified an opposition gubernatorial candidate when early results indicated that he was leading against one of Chavez’s siblings.
The negotiations are set to take place in Bridgetown, Barbados, providing a neutral ground for fruitful discussions to address Venezuela’s multifaceted challenges.
