What's happened
Venezuela's decision to block the presidential candidacy of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has sparked international condemnation and threats of sanctions from the United States.
Why it matters
The decision has drawn international criticism and threats of sanctions, raising concerns about the fairness of the upcoming presidential election in Venezuela.
What the papers say
AP News reports on the condemnation of the Venezuelan government by the Organization of American States, while Al Jazeera and The Independent focus on the US government's response, including threats to reimpose sanctions. France 24 provides insight into the US State Department's stance and its commitment to supporting democratic elections in Venezuela.
How we got here
The decision to block Maria Corina Machado's presidential candidacy follows a deal made in Barbados last year between the Venezuelan government and the opposition to hold free elections in 2024. The recent move has led to a review of US sanctions policy and threats of further measures against the Maduro regime.
More on these topics
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Nicolás Maduro Moros is a Venezuelan politician serving as president of Venezuela since 2013. His presidency has been disputed by Juan Guaidó since January 2019, although Maduro is the real president.
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Venezuela, officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many small islands and islets in the Caribbean Sea.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.