MEXICO CITY, Mexico: Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Colombian President Gustavo Petro reiterated their demands for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to release the detailed voting results from the controversial July elections.
Their call highlights the urgent need for transparency in Venezuela’s electoral process, which has been marred by disputes and accusations of fraud.
The request follows a recent decision by Venezuela’s Supreme Court, which endorsed Maduro’s victory despite widespread skepticism. Both Lula and Petro, who have historically supported Maduro, are now calling for the publication of disaggregated and verifiable election data to restore credibility. This data is crucial as it provides a clear, verifiable record of the voting process, which is currently lacking.
The Venezuelan opposition has alleged that Maduro is attempting to undermine the electoral process. Opposition groups have collected voting tallies from a significant portion of polling stations, suggesting a substantial win for opposition candidate Edmundo González. However, these figures have been dismissed by the Supreme Court as forgeries, adding to the uncertainty and controversy surrounding the election.
In addition to addressing the election’s integrity, Lula and Petro have expressed concern over the increasing violence and repression in Venezuela.
Reports indicate that over 2,000 people have been arrested amid protests against the election results. While Lula and Petro have condemned the violence, they have not explicitly blamed the Maduro government for these actions.
The two leaders have underscored their commitment to facilitating dialogue between the Venezuelan government and opposition, aiming for a peaceful resolution to the political crisis. Their stance reflects a shift towards a more assertive position on Venezuela, emphasizing the need for democratic processes and transparent governance in the region.
