Nicolás Maduro: "The Barbados agreements are mortally wounded"

Nicolás Maduro’s ongoing opposition against free and democratic elections is evident as he claims that the Barbados Accords, sponsored by the United States, are slowly dying due to the revolution’s actions.

During a meeting of the Federal Government Council, Maduro stated, “The Barbados agreements are mortally wounded, I declare them in intensive care. They stabbed them, they kicked them… Hopefully we can save them and push through dialogue great agreements of national consensus without hidden cards and macabre plans to assassinate me and fill the country with violence”.

In response to alleged “conspiracies” revealed in recent days, Maduro has ordered the deployment of the ‘Bolivarian Fury’ and the arrest of four electoral coordinators of Vente Venezuela, a party led by María Corina Machado, as well as a teachers’ union leader who is also a member of the party. The arrests were made under the accusation of a failed attempt to assault military barracks and the governorate of the border state of Táchira.

Machado’s disqualification

The opposition leader, María Corina Machado, is awaiting a ruling by the Supreme Court (TSJ) on her political disqualification. However, it is unlikely that the ruling, even within the framework of the Barbados Accords, will favor the opposition. According to Jorge Rodríguez, head of the government negotiating commission, Machado has no chance of becoming a candidate in any election, as she would pose a significant threat to Maduro’s popularity, which currently stands at over 60% in the polls.

Machado has already been disqualified by the Chavista Comptroller’s Office and the president of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Elvis Amoroso, who were both appointed under orders from the Miraflores Palace. The CNE will oversee this year’s presidential elections.

According to political scientist Walter Molina, Chavismo has lost social control and its support base has significantly decreased, leading to an increase in repression against NGOs, unionists, and even the military. The call for negotiations in Barbados is seen as the sixth attempt by the government to find a solution since 2014.