An agreement has been signed by Venezuela’s government and opposition, laying groundwork for presidential elections which will be recognized by both sides.

According to BBC News, a deal was signed in Barbados, signaling a “rare breakthrough” after an 11-month stall in talks.

The 2018, the article says, had been widely dismissed as neither free nor fair.

The latest deal sees government agreeing to invite international observers to monitor the next poll which has been scheduled for the second half of 2024.

They have also agreed to update the voter registries, both inside and outside of the country, in order to ensure that Venezuelans who have emigrated can exercise their right to vote.

However, the news report indicates that there is no mention in the deal about other issues raised by the opposition.

These include the “release of political prisoners or the lifting of a ban on a number of opposition candidates vying to run in the 2024 election.”