This Tuesday, the presidential candidate of the Venezuelan opposition, María Corina Machado, denounced that two of her campaign managers were detained in the last 24 hours by the Nicolás Maduro regime.
In a press conference held at the headquarters of her political organization, Vente Venezuela, in Caracas, Machado denounced that Juan Freites, in charge of the campaign command of the state of La Guaira (north), and Luis Camacaro, responsible for Yaracuy (west), are missing after being allegedly intercepted and "kidnapped" by the dictatorial Venezuelan government.
Machado warned during the conference that three other coordinators of her campaign are also being persecuted. Likewise, she blamed the regime for the vandalization of party headquarters, where the slogan "Bolivarian Fury," the name of a government plan that supposedly seeks to "defend the right to peace," was painted on buildings.
Machado asks for the intervention of the international community
The favorite of the opposition expressed concern about the intensification of repression, noting that "the entire repressive apparatus of the State" is trying to "deter and demoralize" her followers. In response to these events, Machado issued an urgent call to the international community to intervene and stop what she described as "madness."
"I want to tell the international community that we have to put a stop to it, stop this madness, because that is what the 'Bolivarian Fury' means: aggression, disappearances, persecution and, obviously, it reflects the fear of a regime to measure itself" Machado stressed.
Maduro violates the agreement with the Biden Administration
The candidate recalled that recent events violate the Barbados agreement, in which Maduro promised to guarantee free and fair presidential elections in exchange for the United States easing sanctions on the Latin American country's oil industry.
“What is happening at this moment violates the Barbados agreement, which speaks of the development of a peaceful and participatory electoral campaign and the guarantees so that candidates can move freely around the country, have freedom and equity in expression and communication, and that the rights of our members are respected," she said.
United States reiterates the parameters of the Barbados agreement
Brian A. Nichols, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, reacted with concern to the news through his social networks and recalled the parameters that the Maduro regime should follow for the Barbados agreement to be upheld.
"Deeply concerned by recent actions against the opposition & civil society in Venezuela based on unsupported allegations. The Barbados electoral roadmap calls for a culture of tolerance and political coexistence as well as a level playing field for all political parties. We continue to press for a more open political environment, competitive presidential elections and due process," he said.
Deeply concerned by recent actions against the opposition & civil society in Venezuela based on unsupported allegations. The Barbados electoral roadmap calls for a culture of tolerance & political coexistence as well as a level playing field for all political parties. We continue…
— Brian A. Nichols (@WHAAsstSecty) January 23, 2024
This is not the first time that the violation of the Barbados agreement has been reported. Since the partial lifting of sanctions was announced, Maduro has already disrespected his commitment on several occasions, and although Biden administration officials have already threatened to reinstate sanctions if the agreements are not met, the warnings seem to be unheeded.
