In a recent joint statement, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Colombian President Gustavo Petro called upon Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to transparently disclose voting results from the July elections. This call comes shortly after Venezuela’s Supreme Court endorsed the government’s contentious assertion of victory in those elections, a claim met with skepticism both domestically and internationally.

President Lula and President Petro underscored the necessity for electoral credibility, stating that the transparency of disaggregated and verifiable data is essential for restoring public trust in the electoral process. Their message also included a warning against violence and repression, as the Maduro administration has reportedly incarcerated thousands and responded to civil unrest with force.

This appeal from the leaders of Brazil and Colombia follows a rejection of the Venezuelan Supreme Court’s certification by various Latin American nations and the United States. Analysts noted an expectation for Lula and Petro’s reactions, given their historically close ties with Maduro as well as their efforts to mediate conversations between the Venezuelan government and its opposition.

President Maduro has claimed an electoral victory but has not validated this with the release of official tally sheets, which serve as the only reliable count of voting outcomes in Venezuela. The primary opposition coalition has accused his administration of electoral impropriety, suggesting that significant evidence—including tallies collected by opposition volunteers from 80% of polling stations—indicates a decisive win for former opposition candidate Edmundo González. The Venezuelan administration, however, has dismissed these tallies as forgeries.

While both Lula and Petro acknowledged the Supreme Court’s ruling, they emphasized their anticipation of obtaining the released tallies. The leaders further urged all stakeholders in Venezuela to refrain from engaging in acts of violence and repression as security forces ramped up arrests, exceeding 2,000 individuals in response to widespread demonstrations disputing the election results. Notably, they refrained from directly implicating the Maduro government in these violent actions.

Amidst this tightening political landscape, opposition figure María Corina Machado has reportedly sought refuge, and the government has initiated investigative actions against González, suggesting accusations of sowing public discord through his challenge to the election results.

Critics have previously reproached Lula and Petro for their lenient stance towards Maduro’s regime; however, their rhetoric has become increasingly assertive in light of the recent electoral events. The proximity of Brazil and Colombia to Venezuela positions them as crucial players in potentially facilitating further discussions aimed at a resolution of the ongoing political crisis.

In conclusion, both leaders reiterated their commitment to fostering dialogue between the Venezuelan government and its opposition, asserting that the political stabilization of Venezuela hinges upon recognized efforts for peaceful discourse and democratic collaboration.

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