Venezuelan government, opposition reach agreement to schedule 2024 presidential election

Venezuela's government and the US-backed opposition forces have formally agreed to work together on terms for the 2024 presidential election, paving the way for possible relief from cruel economic sanctions imposed by Washington against the nation led by President Nicolas Maduro.

Representatives from the two sides met in Barbados on Tuesday and reached a broad consensus for the election scheduled to take place in the second half of next year with international observers - including from the European Union and United Nations - overseeing the vote.

Jorge Rodriguez, head of the Caracas delegation, alongside his counterpart in the opposition, Gerardo Blyde, signed the agreement.

Rodriguez said at a press conference after the signing that candidates from all political spectrums are allowed to participate in the election according to Venezuelan law, "as long as they meet the established requirements".

"This is the first step of a much broader agreement that is in full evolution, construction, and execution," he clarified. "If you received an administrative inhabilitation...from the controller general of the republic you cannot be a candidate, I want to clarify that."

Speaking before Rodriguez, Blyde had said that the banned candidates could "recover their rights" and said to be optimistic about a route to remove political bans that some opposition leaders have.

The opposition has said the bans, handed down by the controller general, are unlawful.

SS