Barbados Agreement
The parties, designated for the purposes of this process as the "Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela" and the "Unitary Platform of Venezuela", acting in accordance with the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding signed on August 13, 2021, in Ciudad de Mexico, United Mexican States: Acting under the protection of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the Organic Law of Electoral Processes and other applicable regulations; Committed to strengthening an inclusive democracy and a culture of tolerance and political coexistence; Ratifying the will to agree on the necessary conditions for the electoral processes enshrined in the Constitution to be carried out, with all the guarantees; Rejecting any form of political violence against Venezuela, its State and its institutions: Taking into account the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of the agreed schedule, referring to "Political Rights for all" and "Electoral guarantees for all", based on the provisions of paragraph 2 of the "General Terms" contained in the Memorandum of Understanding referred to above,FIRST: the parties recognize and respect the right of each political actor to choose their candidate for the presidential elections freely and in accordance with their internal mechanisms, taking into account the provisions of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the law.The requirement for the competent authorities to adopt measures to guarantee security, freedom of movement and assembly for all candidates throughout the national territory, with no limitations other than those provided for in the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the law.The recognition of the right of political actors to have transparent financing mechanisms that ensure neatness in their origin and management, with no limitations other than those provided for in the Constitution and the law.The participation of all local, national and international media and social networks will be promoted in the coverage of the electoral campaign, in accordance with the provisions of the law and the procedures established by the competent authorities.SIXTH: Within the framework of the schedule agreed upon in the Memorandum of Understanding, the parties will continue the process of dialogue and negotiation in relation to other measures aimed at strengthening an inclusive democracy and a culture of tolerance and political coexistence, as well as respect for human rights; understanding the need for sanctions against the Venezuelan State to be lifted and claiming independence, freedom, sovereignty, immunity, territorial integrity and national self-determination as inalienable rights of the nation.[10] Human rights NGO Foro Penal, while celebrating the release of the five detainees, condemned the lack of transparency in the negotiations and declared that 270 political prisoners remained detained in Venezuela as of October 2023, when the agreement was signed.[11][12] Despite the agreement, leading opposition candidate María Corina Machado was disqualified from the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election by Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal of Justice in January 2024.[14] Saab—under sanctions for multiple alleged offenses—is charged by human rights organizations as "being one of the key people in the regime's efforts to use the Venezuelan justice system as an instrument of political persecution", according to an August 2024 Miami Herald article.