“…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…”