“Deeply unfortunate” the disqualification of María Corina Machado in Venezuela

The Secretary of State of the United States, Antony Blinken, described as “deeply unfortunate” the disqualification of former congresswoman María Corina Machado from running for elected office in Venezuela.

Blinken’s remarks on Thursday in Guyana is a sign that the United States continues to be attentive to the electoral process in Venezuela. The disqualification of María Corina Machado, It has generated concern inside and outside the South American country.

“There are a number of very practical steps that the Caracas regime can take to show that it wants to move down that path towards free and fair elections… the disqualification of a leading member of the opposition from running in such an election certainly sends the opposite message.” Blinken noted.

Venezuela already had refused the US position on the elections, describing it as “interference in its internal affairs”. This after Washington criticized the actions against Machado.

“We are determined to continue international cooperation and coordination to pressure the regime to commit to free and fair elections in 2024 and to take the necessary steps to allow them to take place,” Blinken added.

The Secretary of the Department of State added that the purpose of the sanctions imposed by the United States on Venezuela are not “to create ends in themselves”, but are “a means to an end, and the end is to help respond to the desire of the Venezuelan people to restore democracy”.

US officials have reiterated that they would only consider removing sanctions on Venezuela, as has been the request of presidents like Gustavo Petro in Colombia, it would only be viable by demonstrating a path to free elections in the country.

No details on possible prisoner exchange

During the press conference, Blinken was questioned about the possibility that the US was negotiating a prisoner exchange with Venezuela, which included the Colombian-Venezuelan businessman Alex Saab, to which he assured that “I am not going to enter into any of the commitments, diplomacy, the deliberations that we have”.

“As you have seen in the case of Venezuela, we have been able to bring home a number of Americans over the last year, and worldwide we have brought home almost 30 Americans who have been arbitrarily detained in one way or another. So it’s an ongoing focus and I’m not going to go into detail about where and how we might do it,” Blinken noted.

These rumors began after the US government will send to Venezuela to the highest representative on the issue of hostages to negotiate the “well-being and security” of US citizens detained in the South American country.

Finally, Blinken pointed out that the State Department is “constantly committed” to “ensure the security, the well-being of Americans abroad, particularly those who have been arbitrarily detained, used as political pawns.”

Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channel Youtube and activate notifications, or follow us on social networks: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.