Venezuela to Resume Talks With US After Nicolas Maduro Previously Broke Promises Regarding Elections

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro has announced that his government is willing to re-enter talks with the US after his administration broke promises regarding free and fair elections when the Maduro-aligned Supreme Court upheld the disqualification of the election's previous frontrunner, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.

The strongman stated that his government will renew dialogue with the US from next Wednesday. Maduro claimed that it was Washington that initiated the proposal and that it was his government that agreed to it after two months of careful consideration.

As France 24 noted, the US partially lifted several oil-related sanctions against Venezuela after a secret deal between the two governments in Qatar. Venezuela also made several concessions, including allowing banned candidates to run in the next election, including Machado.

However, as soon as the Maduro-aligned Supreme Court reaffirmed her disqualification and Maduro resumed his usual repression of any form of opposition, the US re-imposed those sanctions.

"We're going to debate and find new agreements so that everything is respected, (especially) what we signed in Qatar" in September," claimed Maduro as he addressed the nation on state television. He added that he hoped for "dialogue, understanding, a future for our relationship."

The US also suspended several sanctions when the Maduro regime agreed with the opposition in last year's conference in Barbados to hold elections this year. However, they agreed that the election must be free and fair and allow banned candidates to run. Maduro broke this agreement.

Venezuela Opposition Welcomes Nicolas Maduro Announcement on Dialogue With US

Meanwhile, the Venezuelan opposition, which is allied to the United States, welcomed the president's announcement just one day before the promised negotiations are about to restart, with the opposition coalition Unitary Platform's executive secretary, Omar Barboza, praising the move.

"Differences must be resolved through peaceful means, through dialogue," he stated, adding that the opposition's negotiators will be ready to participate in bilateral discussions if they are needed, adding that this would be in the interest of the "electoral process and respect for democratic guarantees."

However, the Associated Press noted that the US government itself has not yet confirmed any planned negotiations with the Maduro regime, as negotiations with the Biden administration have so far proven to be rocky and complicated.

Venezuela Citizens Pinning Decision to Migrate on Results of July Elections

Venezuela is facing a historic exodus of its citizens under the Maduro regime, which has been accused of crimes against humanity. Under Maduro, people are leaving because of the economic difficulties living in the country, as well as continued government repression.

With the elections happening on July 11, some Venezuelans are putting their plans to migrate on hold for now, as Maduro currently trails in the polls. However, with a history of alleged cheating, citizens are holding their breaths.

"I'd like to stay in Venezuela because I know that if the government changes, the oil industry will return in full force," said Maracaibo, Venezuela resident Daniel Briseno.

The Korea Times noted that many Venezuelans say they want to vote against the dictator because they want to "halt the deterioration of their quality of life" in the country.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: President Maduro authorizes dialogues with the U.S. in Qatar - TeleSUR English