Venezuela veers further from election vows

Venezuela's government will no longer allow EU observers to witness the presidential election set for 28 July, a step that could provide a pretext for Washington to further tighten its sanctions against the country.

The government had previously informally invited the observers, but rescinded the invitation hours after the Unity Platform opposition coalition urged President Nicolas Maduro to send a formal request. Venezuela's government has continued to block the opposition's top candidate, Maria Corina Machado, from running.

Venezuela will block the observers because of the EU's "colonialist practices" of economic sanctions, CNE head Elvis Amoroso said. The sanctions have cost Venezuela more than $125bn in frozen assets and lost revenue, he added. Europe along with countries including the US, Canada, Panama and Switzerland have sanctioned Venezuela since 2018, after accusing Maduro of rigging that year's presidential election.

US president Joe Biden's administration last month reimposed most oil sanctions against Venezuela, citing the Maduro government's refusal to allow Machado to run for president. The US administration said it would impose additional restrictions if it determines that the 28 July election that it was not free — a determination that takes into account whether credible international observers are allowed to monitor the voting process.

Both the opposition coalition and the EU called for Venezuela to reconsider. The EU reminded Venezuela that allowing observers was part of the deal struck between Maduro's representatives in Barbados in October and the opposition coalition. The agreement aimed to ensure a path to free and fair elections, after which the US lifted oil sanctions for six months.

Maduro's latest move follows a pattern of intimidation and opacity designed to ensure his continuity, critics said.

The blocking of observers "is regrettable but not surprising," said R. Evan Ellis, a research professor of Latin American studies at the US Army War College.

Venezuela had allowed an EU mission to observe 2021 state and municipal elections, which it condemned as unfair and undemocratic. Maduro and allies claimed a landslide win at both state and city levels.

Polls in Caracas have Maduro losing in July by widening margins. Maduro was in second place with about 20pc of voter support for several weeks, but pollster Meganalisis said he would only get around 9pc of the vote if it were held this week. Machado's place-holder candidate Edmundo Gonzalez would win with 60pc of the vote, according to the poll.

By Carlos Camacho