US will continue to press Venezuela to hold 'free' elections: Blinken

By Firdevs Bulut Kartal

TORONTO (AA) - The US is determined to continue pressing the Venezuelan government to carry out free and fair elections in 2024, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday.

"We're determined to continue international cooperation and coordination to press the regime to commit to free and fair elections in 2024 and to take the necessary steps to allow free and fair elections to go forward," Blinken said during a press conference.

The disqualification of leading members of the opposition from competing in the elections sends the opposite message and is deeply unfortunate, he added.

The way to the democratic path starts with preparations for free and fair elections, he said.

On July 1, opposition candidate Maria Corina Machado was banned from holding public office for 15 years. She had been one of the favorites to win the opposition’s nomination for president in an October primary ahead of presidential elections expected in 2024.

The ban was over alleged irregularities within the context of an investigation by the Venezuelan General Directorate of Financial Affairs when Machado served as a lawmaker from 2011-2014.