Venezuela’s supreme court has barred opposition leader María Corina Machado from this year’s presidential race.
This decision casts doubt on a U.S.-Venezuela deal, linking sanctions relief to Venezuela’s commitment to fair elections.
The court confirmed a previous ban, preventing Machado, a leading candidate in opinion polls, from holding public office for 15 years.
This latest disqualification stems from a 2021 Comptroller’s Office ruling, part of a series targeting Machado.
In 2023, the Comptroller upheld a 2015 decision barring her due to alleged legislative irregularities, including asset declaration errors.
The court found Machado responsible for a $32.5 billion loss to Venezuela.
The court accused Machado of transferring Citgo to Crystallex and aiding in seizing $4 billion of Venezuelan assets.
Machado’s team has not commented on the ruling.
The decision follows Machado and other opposition figures appealing their ineligibility, integral to the U.S.-negotiated roadmap for fair elections.
Machado argued that no legal barrier exists against her candidacy, as she wasn’t officially notified of any ban.
After winning the opposition’s primaries, Machado emerged as a leading contender against President Nicolás Maduro.
Maduro, seeking a third term, represents the ruling United Socialist Party. The election date remains unannounced.
Henrique Capriles remains disqualified
Maduro’s government has intensified its stance against opposition figures.
Recently, three of Machado’s associates were arrested for allegedly plotting Maduro’s assassination, as stated by prosecutor Tarek William Saab.
Furthermore, former governor and presidential candidate Henrique Capriles remains disqualified, leaving the opposition without a clear challenger to Maduro.
Other opposition leaders, such as Leocenis García, Richard Mardo, and Pablo Pérez, are permitted to run for office.
The U.S. has been pressuring Maduro to allow opposition participation in the elections, threatening to reimpose sanctions on Venezuela’s key exports.
In a related development, Venezuela exchanged ten Americans for Maduro’s ally, Alex Saab, under the sanctions relief agreement on December 20.
This series of events highlights the complex dynamics of Venezuelan politics and its impact on international relations and democracy.