The decision by Venezuela's highest court to block the presidential candidacy of opposition leader María Corina Machado has sparked condemnation from both the U.S. government and approximately 30 conservative world leaders. The Biden administration, while expressing concern over the situation, has yet to announce whether it will reimpose economic sanctions on Venezuela, a measure it had threatened if the election did not provide a fair playing field for the country's presidential race.
The victory of Machado in the presidential primary held in October, supported by the U.S.-backed faction of the opposition, was an impressive feat. Despite a 15-year ban imposed by the Venezuelan government just days after she announced her candidacy in June, Machado secured over 90% of the primary vote. The ban was allegedly based on accusations of fraud and tax violations, with Machado also being accused of seeking economic sanctions from the U.S. against Venezuela.
