:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/7YHM4ILBOJF53B57GMZHOKIW7Y "The Venezuelan regime ignored the Barbados Agreement and replaced it with the electoral proposal for this year")
The Venezuelan regime under Nicolás Maduro has decided to ignore the Barbados Agreement, which was signed in October as a guarantee of democratic standards for the upcoming presidential elections. Instead, the regime has presented a new electoral proposal which it claims is more comprehensive and inclusive.
Jorge Rodríguez, the president of the National Assembly, announced the new proposal, stating that it has the endorsement of 87% of political parties as well as various social, business, cultural, and religious organizations. The proposal includes a total of 27 possible dates for the elections, for both the first and second halves of the year.
Despite the regime’s assurances, there is skepticism from the opposition and the international community regarding the electoral process. The Democratic Unitary Platform, representing dissident voices, has reiterated its commitment to the Barbados Agreement and its principles of political rights and electoral guarantees.
The European Union has expressed its desire to send an observation mission for the electoral event, but Rodríguez has called for impartiality and warned against interference in the country’s internal affairs. The opposition has also presented a document to Norway, a mediating nation, detailing alleged violations of agreements with the regime.
The situation remains tense as Venezuela prepares for the presidential elections amidst doubts and concerns over the regime’s commitment to democratic standards.