Maria Corina Machado won the opposition’s presidential primary last October, but Venezuela’s Supreme Justice Tribunal has maintained a ban preventing her from holding office. This decision disrupts the opposition’s plans for upcoming elections. Despite the ban, Machado remains committed to fighting for free and fair elections. The court’s ruling came after three of Machado’s allies were arrested on charges of conspiracy. The US has conditioned sanctions relief for Venezuela, which was granted in October, on the release of political prisoners. The ban on Machado could impact US-Venezuela relations, as Maduro is expected to seek a third term in 2024.