Two weeks after a Barbados agreement aimed at resuming dialogue between the Venezuelan government and opposition, the political talks stall again, signaling a fresh setback. The Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice in Venezuela suspended the results of the opposition primaries, which had made María Corina Machado the sole anti-M Maduro candidate for the 2024 elections.
Machado’s decisive win on October 22 prompted the president and key Maduro allies to voice disapproval of the primaries’ selection process, citing a lack of support from the National Electoral Council. Since then, accusations of fraud have circulated, the campaign has faced boycotts, and about 2.2 million voters were scrutinized in the process. The opposition quickly condemned what it described as an attempt to司法ize the primaries.
Machado’s victory drew recognition from the United States. The Biden administration signaled openness to easing some sanctions gradually if transparency and fair competition can be guaranteed in next year’s elections. A new political and judicial landscape is emerging amid recent moves by parties and institutions.
Jorge Rodríguez, a leading figure in the National Assembly and head of the negotiating team, spoke to the media and a segment of the diplomatic community last Sunday, describing the group as far-right. He forecast investigations into alleged illegal use of more than two million Venezuelans’ identities and urged ambassadors to show restraint and frugality. He also insisted that far fewer than 600,000 Venezuelans voted, arguing that any higher figure would be unsustainable.
The TSJ stated on Monday that it accepted the objection to the election raised by José Brito, a deputy from a small opposition party, on the basis that the process appeared inflated in the internal consultations. The court ruled that the National Primary Commission had acted unconstitutionally and illegally, suspending all effects of the electoral stages it had organized.
Reactions and potential consequences
In response, the TSJ asked the National Primary Commission to provide the administrative records of the election process, including schedules, voter lists, objections, and liquidation timelines. The court’s stance keeps María Corina Machado’s candidacy under review and considers disqualification from public office for up to 15 years. The Financial Affairs Department’s actions are described as final, reinforcing the government’s stance not to permit Machado to run in 2024 or to lift sanctions in future negotiations.
Additionally, the TSJ gave the Commission three days to explain how it safeguarded election materials and notified the Attorney General about the case because the primaries could illuminate alleged electoral crimes and offenses against the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Roberto Enríquez withdrew from the primaries at the last moment. COPEI (Social Christians) criticized the court’s decision. Some observers noted that the impact of the TSJ ruling may be limited unless it affects the mobilization of 2.2 million voters. The sentiment among Machado supporters remained that she is the unitary candidate, while opponents stressed the power of the ruling coalition to shape the outcome. César Pérez Vivas also challenged the judicial move, arguing that Maduro and his circle must contend with the will of the people and the lasting impact of a determined citizen’s effort.