So far, Venezuela and its Nicolas Maduro regime have not made good on its deal with the US for free and fair elections. During a secret meeting of the two countries in Mexico, US officials expressed their concerns over the electoral process as the Venezuelan government continued its suppression of the opposition, making it hard for them to run a campaign.

According to Reuters, the two sides held the meeting as the April 18 deadline for the US to decide whether or not it would reimpose sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry after the Maduro regime repeatedly broke its agreement to keep the elections free and fair.

Among the infractions Venezuela did was not allowing all opposition leaders to run, including opposition coalition candidate Maria Corina Machado, who, even though she won over 90% of the vote during the opposition primary last year, was forced to drop out because the Maduro-aligned Supreme Court upheld her disqualification.

US President Joe Biden has vowed that he would reinstate oil sanctions that it suspended in October unless the Maduro regime makes good on its promises, with the White House National Security Council (NSC) stating, "The purpose was to express our concerns about Venezuela's electoral process."

Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government also issued its own statement, claiming that the US was not complying with its commitments in this area. It added that the US was interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs before denouncing the country's "violent actions planned and perpetrated by extreme sectors" in the country under the auspices of foreign agencies.

So far, no decision has been made yet, but Venezuela has used unsubstantiated claims that the opposition is working with the US to assassinate Nicolas Maduro. The regime is also using this claim to crack down on members of the opposition and the media.

READ MORE: Venezuela Elections: Three Times Nicolas Maduro Undermined Democracy During an Election Year

Venezuelans Living Abroad Want to Vote But Cannot

Under the Nicolas Maduro Regime, an estimated 7.7 million Venezuelans fled the country, many of whom risked it all to travel to the US-Mexico border to seek asylum and live a better life in the US. Many of them, still Venezuelan citizens, want to vote and expel Maduro from office. However, many of them cannot as they lack absentee requirements.

Giovanny Tovar, who is now living in Lima, Peru as an empanada vendor, spoke with the Associated Press and expressed his desire to vote Maduro out, However, he and millions of others may not be able to as there are costly and time-consuming government prerequisites that they must fulfill to vote.

"I really don't understand why they put so many obstacles in the way of us exercising our vote," he told the AP. "I really would like to vote but not to give the vote to Maduro."

Exodus of Venezuelans to Flee Nicolas Maduro Favoring Dictator in the Election

The election in Venezuela is scheduled for July 28, yet millions have already left the country to flee the crisis that began during Nicolas Maduro's time in power. However, these people fleeing could be a boost to the Venezuelan strongman.

Analysts have pointed out that those who left Venezuela during the crisis would more likely vote against Maduro. Since they cannot vote because of Venezuela's strict absentee laws, this could prove to go in favor of the dictator.

READ NEXT: Venezuela Elections: Maria Corina Machado Names College Professor Corina Yoris as Replacement Presidential Candidate

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Venezuela presidential election: Political opponents barred from contest - Al Jazeera English