Americas

Secret Talks, Oil and Sanctions: Inside a US-Venezuela Breakthrough

The Biden administration bypassed Venezuela’s opposition to engage in direct talks with Maduro’s government toward fair elections before bringing the two back to the table. 

A voter casts a ballot at a polling station during the opposition primaries in Caracas, Venezuela, on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023.Photographer: Gaby Oraa/Bloomberg

The day had finally arrived: Venezuela’s leaders and the opposition would come together to map out a plan toward free elections.

Also on the table was the potential rollback of harsh sanctions that had further cemented the country’s economic crisis. After years of failed negotiations and conflict, it would be a historic win.