New Unsolicited Statement by Petro and Lula on Venezuela: No to Sanctions, Yes to International Electoral Audit
Caracas—(OrinocoTribune.com)—The presidents of Colombia and Brazil, Gustavo Petro and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva respectively, issued a joint statement in which they reject the use of new illegal sanctions against Venezuela as a tool for regime change by the US government and the European Union, as this idea has been leaked to the media in recent days.
After the Venezuelan presidential election held on July 28, the president of Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil have been pushing for a stance that favors the US less in their lack of recognition of the electoral results. Last week Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) broke with the group as Lula and Petro publicly requested re-run elections while AMLO has advised waiting for the Supreme Court ruling, that finally was announced last Thursday.
The unrequested statement published on Saturday, August 24, reads: “They share the understanding that unilateral sanctions are contrary to international law and harm the population of the sanctioned countries, especially the most vulnerable sectors.”
Despite the fact that Venezuelan electoral authorities have presented evidence of cyberattacks on its electoral system, the heads of state insisted that their request for the details of the July 28 voting results be published, without any mention that the Venezuelan Supreme Court has already requested the National Electoral Council (CNE) to do so in its ruling that ratified the victory of President Maduro.
Both presidents called for peaceful dialogue and democratic coexistence in diversity in Venezuela. In addition, the presidents called on the country’s political actors to avoid resorting to violence and repression.
The Latin American leaders added that they remain “convinced that the credibility of the electoral process can only be restored through the transparent publication of dis-aggregated and verifiable data,” thus reproducing the narrative launched from Washington and the Venezuelan far-right opposition. This request, according to many experts, interferes with the robustness of voting integrity in Venezuela and its sovereignty.
The statement reads: “Brazil and Colombia take note of the decision of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) of Venezuela on the electoral process. They reiterate that they are still awaiting the release, by the National Electoral Council, of the voting records poll station by poll station.”
Below is the full unofficial translation of the statement:
Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Gustavo Petro held telephone conversations yesterday and today (23 and 24) on the subject of the presidential elections in Venezuela.
Both presidents remain convinced that the credibility of the electoral process can only be restored through the transparent publication of dis-aggregated and verifiable data.
The political normalization of Venezuela requires the recognition that there is no lasting alternative to peaceful dialogue and democratic coexistence in diversity.
The two presidents call on all those involved to avoid resorting to acts of violence and repression.
As neighboring countries directly interested in the stability of Venezuela and the region, and witnesses to the Barbados Agreements, Brazil and Colombia maintain open channels of communication with the parties and reiterate their willingness to facilitate understanding between them.
Brazil and Colombia take note of the decision of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) of Venezuela on the electoral process. They reiterate that they are still awaiting the release, by the National Electoral Council, of the voting records broken down by poll stations. It is worth recalling the commitments assumed by the government and the opposition through the signing of the Barbados Accords, whose spirit of transparency must be respected.
They also express their total opposition to the continued use of unilateral sanctions as an instrument of pressure. They share the understanding that unilateral sanctions are contrary to international law and harm the population of the sanctioned countries, especially the most vulnerable sectors.
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
OT/JRE/MCM