US, Venezuela near deal on sanctions relief for steps toward fair elections

As part of the informal deal, the US would be willing to lift some oil and banking sanctions on Venezuela once Caracas announces measures to hold its presidential elections in a more democratic fashion, the people said. Those steps would include removing a ban on all opposition candidates to run for office. Once those conditions are met, the US would be open to lifting penalties on both Venezuela’s central bank and the state-owned development bank, giving the administration of President Nicolas Maduro a path to reengage with financial institutions to recover at least $3 billion held in accounts in Europe, according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing the fragile discussions. Sanctions relief being considered by President Joe Biden’s administration would also extend to members of Maduro’s entourage, the people said, though it’s not expected to include prominent financiers such as Alex Saab, a top Maduro ally who has been imprisoned in the US since 2021. By: Jennifer Jacobs, Andreina Itriago Acosta and Eric Martin . Full Text-> AJOT

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