US, Venezuela Near Deal on Sanctions Relief for Steps Toward Fair Elections
- Some individual sanctions on Maduro’s entourage to be lifted
- Release of dozens of political prisoners by Venezuela expected
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The US and Venezuela are close to reaching an understanding that would bring limited sanctions relief in exchange for steps to ensure fair elections in the Latin American country next year, according to people familiar with the matter.
As part of the informal deal, the US would be willing to lift some oil and banking sanctions on Venezuela once Caracas announces measures to hold its presidential elections in a more democratic fashion, the people said. Those steps would include removing a ban on all opposition candidates to run for office.