Venezuela’s top court suspends result of opposition primary

“…Venezuela’s Supreme Court on Monday suspended the outcome of an opposition primary vote, heightening uncertainty ahead of 2024 polls the international community hopes will restore democracy in the crisis-wracked country.

The United States said earlier this month it would ease long-standing oil and gas sanctions against President Nicolas Maduro’s government after it struck a deal with the opposition to hold elections next year.

However, the government subsequently rejected the outcome of an opposition primary to choose a presidential candidate. That vote earlier this month was won by Maria Corina Machado, 56, who is banned from holding office for 15 years.

Maduro’s administration has launched a probe into the primary, claiming it was tainted by fraud…”