By Roberto Morejon

A new round of talks between the Venezuelan government and part of the opposition nucleated in the so-called Democratic Platform, seems to have borne fruit on the road to elections in 2024 with plural participation and recognized by all parties.
 
Judging by the documents and statements of the delegates present in Barbados, the arrangements constitute the beginning of the progressive lifting of international sanctions against Venezuela.
 
As is well known, the South American country suffers the effects of more than 900 of them, mainly from the United States, with a notable impact on the standard of living of Venezuelans and on the economy.
 
The current cycle of talks, initiated in Mexico and suspended twice, should be moving towards the gradual shortening of brutal restrictions.
 
The dialogue was halted after the non-fulfillment of one of the main advances, the delivery of three billion dollars of money illegitimately seized abroad by the United States and placed in the hands of opponents.
 
Venezuela also demanded the return of businessman Alex Saab, kidnapped and extradited to the Northern Power under unproven accusations.
 
This is still a latent demand, although Caracas emphasizes in Barbados its attachment to the alternative of peace, through dialogue, facilitated by Norway.
 
The parties signed agreements on electoral guarantees, defined the elections for the second semester of 2024 and outlined the authorization of all presidential candidates, as long as they comply with the requirements established by law.
 
The delegates gathered in Barbados also agreed to guarantee international observation of the elections, the promotion of audits and the updating of the electoral registry.
 
The rapprochement also allowed deliberations on formulas aimed at facilitating the economy.
 
It was striking that the parties established the defense of the assets and property of the Citgo Petroleum Corporation, based in the United States, of which the host country took possession.
 
Thus, Venezuela outlines the rules for the 2024 presidential elections and opens the way towards the lifting of the absurd sanctions, albeit progressively.
 
And significantly, as stated by Jorge Rodriguez, head of the government delegation, the agreement reached in Barbados represents a setback for what he defined as calls for military coups.