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CARACAS, Venezuela Dj vu? Feels like it.

Assassination plots, arrest warrants for journalists and human rights defenders, attacks against adversariesfrom the belittling kind to the judicial type and other associated government actions have marked the start of 2024 for Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro and his allies. Add international condemnation and economic sanctions, and the reality of a presidential election year in the South American country becomes clear.

Opposition coalition presidential hopeful Maria Corina Machado speaks to supporters at a campaign event Jan. 23 in Caracas, Venezuela. Condemnation against the government is growing after her candidacy was blocked.

And, once again, the question is: How democratic will the election be?

Venezuelans were promised a presidential election in the second half of 2024 after Maduro and the faction of the opposition backed by the United States government reached an agreement in October. The opposing sides also agreed to recognize and respect a partys right to choose a candidate freely; take steps that would reverse government decisions blocking politicians from running for office; and invite international electoral observers.

The government over the past three months has shown it is willing to test the limits of the agreement, discrediting the opposition's presidential primary, arresting numerous perceived or actual adversaries, and repeatedly characterizing members of the opposition as hate-spewing criminals.

But the biggest test came recently when Venezuelas highest court aligned with Maduros government blocked the presidential candidacy of Mara Corina Machado by upholding an administrative decision that bans her on running for office for 15 years.

I dont think we have any evidence that Maduro plans to allow a competitive election so far, said Geoff Ramsey, senior analyst on Venezuela at the Atlantic Council think tank. What we are seeing is the government making clear that they dont plan on going anywhere any time soon.

Supporters of opposition coalition presidential hopeful Maria Corina Machado attend her campaign event Jan. 23 in Caracas, Venezuela.

The ban has not sidelined Machado so far. The former lawmaker on Monday told supporters and reporters that Venezuela will have a presidential election in 2024 in which she will defeat Nicols Maduro. A date for the vote has not been set.

But Jorge Rodrguez, Maduros chief negotiator and the leader of the countrys National Assembly, quickly dismissed the challenge.

How can a human being who is one of 30 million Venezuelans going to say that Without me, there will be no elections, Rodrguez said. That matter has been settled.

Thats also how the government saw similar disputes in the leadup to the last presidential election, which resulted in Maduros reelection.

At the time, Maduro and the opposition had also agreed to work on electoral conditions. But the talks ended in February 2018 after the government was not willing to commit to free and fair conditions and its opponents refused to recognize a parallel congress devised by the ruling party after it lost the majority of the National Assembly during the 2015 election.

President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores stand before government supporters during a Jan. 23 event marking the anniversary of the 1958 coup that overthrew dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez in Caracas, Venezuela.

Shortly after, the government scheduled the election for May 20, and major parties chose to boycott the contest as prominent leaders were barred from office or forced into exile after authorities opened judicial proceedings against them following a deadly protest movement seeking the presidents removal.

That election is widely considered a sham by the international community. It further alienated Maduro and drew economic sanctions against his government.

Years went by until Maduro and the U.S.-backed faction of the opposition, known as the Unitary Platform, appeared to have finally had a breakthrough, reaching a deal in October to work toward leveling the playing field for the 2024 election. Such was the progress that the U.S. granted Maduro some of his much-sought sanctions relief, and the opposition's negotiating bloc held its primary election days later.

Machado, the clear frontrunner for months, unsurprisingly won the contest. But the participation of more than 2.4 million voters stunned opposition adversaries and allies, who had expected roughly about a million people to cast ballots due to organizational challenges and government obstacles.

Machado's victory, with more than 90% of the vote, came despite the government announcing a 15-year ban on her running for office in June. She was able to participate in the primary because the effort was organized by a commission independent of Venezuelas electoral body, the National Electoral Council.

Machado in December filed a claim with Venezuelas Supreme Tribunal of Justice arguing the ban was null and void and seeking an injunction to protect her political rights. The court on Friday upheld the ban, which alleges fraud and tax violations and accuses her of seeking the economic sanctions the U.S. imposed on Venezuela over the past decade.

The U.S. responded to to the recent court ruling by revoking the relief it granted in October to Venezuela's state-owned mining company, Compaa General de Minera de Venezuela, C.A, known as Minerven. It also gave Maduro until April to meet conditions of the electoral agreement to avoid losing additional relief.

The moves by the Biden administration drew the rage of Rodrguez and prompted the government to warn the Biden administration that it will stop accepting deportation flights Feb. 13, the deadline for U.S. mining companies to wind down operations tied to Minerven.

To describe the United States as "breathtaking" would be putting it mildly. There's an enormous variety of natural and human-made wonders alike contained within the country's borders. But those borders span some 3.8 million square miles, and unless you have a few months to spare for a serious road trip, it can be tough to see as much of the U.S. of A. as you might like.

With that in mind, travelers tend to choose carefully, prioritizing states where they can get the most out of a short jaunt, and a few states consistently top the ranks in terms of things to see and do. As a result, these locations tend to draw the highest percentages of international visitors every year, and it's not hard to see why. With unique terrains, one-of-a-kind cultural landscapes, delicious eats, and much more, these states represent some of the most diverse and fascinating parts of the country.

Airalo sorted through data collected by the International Trade Administration to learn which states were most visited by international travelers in 2022. For additional context, data on how much of the international travel market each state makes up was also included, plus how much these numbers have changed since the previous year.

From Texas to Florida, the top five states to visit for international travelers account for a whopping 90.8% of all international travel to the U.S. Whether you're visiting from abroad or from within the country, these states should be on just about everyone's travel radar.

- International visitors: 1,289,000

- Market share: 5.4%

- Volume change since 2021: 107.5%

Everything is bigger in Texas, as they say, and that includes the number of international visitors in 2022, up more than 100% since 2021. Within its 268,597 square miles, the Lone Star State encompasses everything from dense forests to deserts and prairies, as well as thriving metropolises like Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio.

Visitors come for attractions like the Alamo and Space Center Houston, but Texas has so much more to explore. You can canoe the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park, swim in the Gulf of Mexico, and venture deep belowground in natural caverns, all while getting a true taste of the American West. Just don't forget to grab a few slices of Texas brisket along the way (with some white bread, pickles, and onions on the side, if you want to blend in with the locals).

- International visitors: 4,455,000

- Market share: 18.6%

- Volume change since 2021: 300.3%

In 2022, California drew close to 4.5 million international visitors (a roughly 300% increase from 2021) looking to explore the state's beaches, rugged mountains, and bustling cities. From iconic parks like Yosemite to major urban hubs like Los Angeles and San Francisco, California will more than satisfy visitors seeking a balance of scenery and city life.

With so many different things to do all over the Golden State, most travelers will need to spend a significant amount of time here to see the best of California. Whether you want to hike the great outdoors or ride roller coasters at Disneyland, you'll have no shortage of different areas worth visiting. Since the state receives an average of 258 clear days per year, it's almost always sunny and warm, and you'll have plenty of opportunities to go out and about.

- International visitors: 7,133,000

- Market share: 29.8%

- Volume change since 2021: 239.8%

In 2022, just over 7 million international travelers came to New York, and almost all of them stopped by New York City. In fact, NYC had the most overseas visitors out of any city in the country. This sprawling metropolis sees so many international tourists thanks to its world-famous dining scene, cultural sites like the Statue of Liberty, and so much more.

The public transportation system here is also considered among the best in the country, so you can get around quite easily without needing to drive a car (unlike most destinations in the rest of the U.S.). Beyond the Big Apple, visitors to New York also flocked to Niagara Falls. These famous cascades lie on the state's northern border with Canada and receive upwards of 20 million visitors each year.

- International visitors: 7,145,000

- Market share: 29.8%

- Volume change since 2021: 74.6%

Florida saw just a nearly 75% increase in overseas travelers between 2021 and 2022, but it consistently ranks as one of the most popular states in the U.S. for international visitors. That's mostly due to the cities of Miami and Orlando, the latter of which hosts both Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Featuring thrilling rides, food, and other attractions, these globally renowned theme parks typically get tens of thousands of visitors per day.

Outside of Orlando and Miami, Florida also has the major tourist draws of Fort Lauderdale and Tampa, as well as 825 miles of sandy coastline. The weather can get humid during the summer months, but in the winter, visitors are more than happy to soak up Florida's famous warmth and sunshine.

Data reporting by Luke Hicks. Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick.

This story originally appeared on Airalo and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

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Violence-plagued Venezuela race tests limits of democracy - Ravalli Republic