"Venezuelan Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Opposition Presidential Candidate, Prompting US Sanctions Review"

Venezuela's highest court upheld a ban on opposition presidential candidate María Corina Machado, dealing a blow to the prospect of a free presidential election. The ban was based on allegations of fraud and tax violations, and accuses her of seeking economic sanctions imposed by the US on Venezuela. The ruling comes after an agreement between President Nicolás Maduro and the US-backed opposition to level the playing field ahead of the election later this year. The US has threatened to reverse some sanctions relief if Maduro's government fails to lift bans preventing Machado and others from running for office and release political prisoners.