The US government has strongly condemned the decision of Venezuela's highest court to block the presidential candidacy of opposition leader María Corina Machado. The Biden administration expressed its concern over the lack of a level playing field for the country's upcoming presidential election, but remained noncommittal about reimposing economic sanctions on Venezuela, according to the AP.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated that the United States is reviewing its Venezuela sanctions policy in light of this development and the recent political targeting of democratic opposition candidates and civil society. The decision to block Machado's candidacy comes just days after the Venezuelan government announced a 15-year ban on her running for office, despite her winning the presidential primary held in October, which was organized independently.

Machado, a former lawmaker and longtime government critic, secured over 90% of the vote in the primary. She maintained that she never received official notification of the ban and believed that voters should have the final say in determining her eligibility for candidacy.

Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal of Justice upheld the ban on Machado, accusing her of alleged fraud and tax violations, as well as seeking the economic sanctions imposed by the United States on Venezuela. This decision comes months after a deal was reached between President Nicolás Maduro and the US-backed opposition, which outlined basic conditions for a fair election to be held in the second half of 2024. The agreement led to the easing of some economic sanctions on Maduro's government.

Miller expressed disappointment with the court's ruling, emphasizing that it contradicts the commitments made by Maduro and his representatives under the agreement signed in October. The US government's review of its Venezuela sanctions policy suggests that further actions may be taken in response to the lack of a level playing field in the upcoming presidential election.

The fate of the opposition leader's candidacy and the implications for Venezuela's political landscape remain uncertain. As tensions continue to rise in the lead-up to the election, the international community will closely monitor developments to ensure fair and transparent democratic processes in the country.