Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva revealed his alarm upon hearing Nicolás Maduro declare that if he loses the upcoming Sunday elections in Venezuela, it will result in a "bloodbath" in the country. "I was frightened by that statement," Lula told the EFE agency.
The Brazilian leader recounted that he spoke with Maduro twice, cautioning him that "if he wants to help solve Venezuela's growth issues and bring back those who left, he needs to respect the democratic process." Lula emphasized that in a democracy, "the loser gets a shower of votes, not a bloodbath," and that "Maduro must learn that when you win, you stay, and when you lose, you leave and prepare for the next election."
In the opinion of the Workers' Party leader, Sunday's elections represent "the only chance" for Venezuela "to return to normalcy" and reintegrate into the regional and international community. "That is my wish for Venezuela and all of South America," he specified.
Lula has called for the full participation of the opposition in the electoral process and expressed his "concern" over the disqualification of María Corina Machado, who was replaced as a candidate by former diplomat Edmundo González Urrutia, currently favored by the polls. He has also advocated for the election results to be recognized by all parties, insisting on a broad presence of international observers. To that end, he will send two members of Brazil's electoral justice system and his former foreign minister and current International Affairs advisor, Celso Amorim.
Repeated Threats from Maduro
This is not the first time Maduro has issued such threats. Last February, he asserted that his team would win the presidential elections "by any means necessary." His tactics prevented former deputy María Corina Machado, the primary opposition figure, from running due to a 15-year ban on holding public office imposed by the Comptroller's Office in 2015 and upheld by the Supreme Court in January.
After Machado's disqualification, the National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela, controlled by the government, announced the presidential elections for the upcoming July 28, reminiscent of the "mega elections" of 2000.
FAQs about Venezuela's Upcoming Elections
To provide further clarity on the situation surrounding Venezuela's elections and the international reaction, here are some frequently asked questions:
Why did Lula da Silva express concern about Maduro's statements?
Lula was alarmed by Maduro's threat of a "bloodbath" if he loses the elections, which he sees as contrary to democratic principles.
What actions has Lula taken in response to the situation in Venezuela?
Lula has called for full opposition participation, respect for democratic processes, and a broad presence of international observers.
Who is replacing María Corina Machado as the opposition candidate?
Former diplomat Edmundo González Urrutia has replaced Machado as the opposition candidate and is favored by the polls.
What measures has the Venezuelan government taken to control the elections?
The government, through the National Electoral Council (CNE), has disqualified opposition figures and scheduled the elections under conditions favorable to them.