Venezuela Prisoner Releases Help to Appease Washington Discontent

Twenty-four Venezuelans have been freed as part of this week's prisoner exchange deal with the United States according to Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado.

• The US said on Wednesday it had granted clemency to Colombian businessman Alex Saab, in exchange for the release of 10 Americans, at least 20 opposition-linked Venezuelans and the extradition of a fugitive Malaysian businessman from the South American country.
• It comes after the US said it would need to see progress on prisoner releases in order to continue with newly imposed energy sanctions relief.
• A November 30 deadline to do so along with turning around bans on political opposition opponents was testing Washingtons patience and threatened the sanctions relief.
• Questions remain about Machado’s ability to run against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
• Machado has asked the supreme court to clarify whether she is subject to a ban on her running. Though a letter confirming the ban was shared publicly in June, Machado says she has never been formally informed and that therefore any ban cannot be legitimate.
• A recent agreement between the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela to not escalate towards a forceful dispute have also settled escalations in that direction.