"US Renews Sanctions on Venezuela as Presidential Candidate Barred"

The United States has tightened sanctions on Venezuela after the country's Supreme Court upheld a ban on opposition candidate María Corina Machado from running for president. The US had previously eased sanctions as part of an agreement for free and fair elections, but the rejection of appeals by Machado and another opposition leader led to the reinstatement of some sanctions. The US is taking a gradual approach, leaving room for more sanctions if the ban on Machado continues, while Machado vows to continue her presidential bid despite the ban.