According to Bloomberg sources, a clandestine meeting took place in Mexico between representatives of the U.S. government and envoys of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The purported aim of the meeting was to urge Maduro toward democratic reforms and discuss the conditions surrounding the upcoming July elections.
The Biden administration had previously issued a warning to Maduro, threatening to reinstate sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector if opposition candidates continued to be obstructed from participating in the elections by the end of April.
Reportedly, the meeting in Mexico took place on Tuesday and involved figures like Daniel Erikson from the U.S. National Security Council and Jorge Rodriguez, the Venezuelan government’s chief negotiator.
Both the U.S. National Security Council and Venezuelan authorities declined to comment on the reported meeting.
While some sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector have been eased following an agreement between the regime and the opposition, concerns arise as opposition figure Maria Corina Machado, deemed a potential frontrunner by polls, was excluded from the electoral race. Additionally, her designated substitute, Corina Yoris, faced obstacles in registering her candidacy.
Maduro ascended to power in Venezuela after the death of Hugo Chavez in 2013. His 2019 reelection, widely criticized as fraudulent, led to international non-recognition of his presidency.
During Maduro’s tenure, Venezuela has experienced a severe economic and social crisis, resulting in a mass exodus of approximately 7.3 million people, constituting about 20% of the population, since 2014.
Reportedly, the meeting in Mexico took place on Tuesday and involved figures like Daniel Erikson from the U.S. National Security Council and Jorge Rodriguez, the Venezuelan government’s chief negotiator.
Both the U.S. National Security Council and Venezuelan authorities declined to comment on the reported meeting.
While some sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector have been eased following an agreement between the regime and the opposition, concerns arise as opposition figure Maria Corina Machado, deemed a potential frontrunner by polls, was excluded from the electoral race. Additionally, her designated substitute, Corina Yoris, faced obstacles in registering her candidacy.
Maduro ascended to power in Venezuela after the death of Hugo Chavez in 2013. His 2019 reelection, widely criticized as fraudulent, led to international non-recognition of his presidency.
During Maduro’s tenure, Venezuela has experienced a severe economic and social crisis, resulting in a mass exodus of approximately 7.3 million people, constituting about 20% of the population, since 2014.
Source: TVP World, PAP
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