Brasilia, Oct 29 (EFE).- The advisor for international affairs of the Brazilian Government, Celso Amorim, declared this Tuesday that in the recent elections in Venezuela “The principle of transparency was not respected,” so the proclaimed victory of the president, Nicolás Maduro, cannot be recognized.
Amorim, who was chancellor during the first two terms (2003-2010) of the current ruler, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, appeared this Tuesday before the Foreign Relations Commission of the Chamber of Deputies to explain Brazil‘s position regarding the turbulent electoral process. Venezuelan.
He explained that, in his attempts at mediation, Brazil has been guided by the principles of “defense of democracy, non-interference in internal affairs and peaceful resolution of disputes.”
However, he stressed that, since the detailed results of the elections on July 28 were not published, in which the electoral authorities proclaimed Maduro’s victory, “the principle of transparency was not respected.”
He emphasized that, for this reason, Brazil “does not recognize” that result nor the victory that the opposition attributes to Edmundo González Urrutia, today exiled in Spain.
Regarding the minutes released by the opposition, he noted that “recognizing different results based on the data collected by a candidate would represent a dangerous precedent for democratic institutions.”
Likewise, Amorim reiterated its concern about “the human rights situation” in Venezuela and by the “new civil society control mechanisms” established by the Maduro Government after the elections.
According to Amorim, the “main interest” that guides Brazil “is to avoid tensions that threaten peace in South America,” although he clarified that “the solution must be reached by the Venezuelans themselves.”
Bilateral relations have gradually deteriorated after the elections, especially given Brazil’s insistence on publishing detailed minutes of the process.
Together with Colombia and, to a lesser extent with Mexico, Brazil has tried to mediate between the Government and the opposition to try to resolve the crisis, but these attempts have been rejected and disqualified by the Venezuelan ruling party.
In this framework, Amorim said that Brazil remains “open to contributing if there is a willingness on both sides,” with which it tries to “maintain dialogue,” although he acknowledged that “it is not easy.”
Tension with Venezuela worsened last week, when Lula’s government refused to accept Venezuela as a new associate member of the BRICS forum, founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
That position was considered by Venezuela as “an aggression” and “a hostile gesture”, which it framed in “the criminal policy of sanctions that have been imposed against a brave and revolutionary people, like the Venezuelans.”
Although Amorim explained that Brazil will maintain “discretion” and avoid discussing this matter through the press, he considered that the Venezuelan reaction has been “at the very least disproportionate.”
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**Interview with Celso Amorim on Brazil’s Stance Toward Venezuelan Elections**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Amorim. You recently spoke before the Foreign Relations Commission regarding the Venezuelan elections. Can you clarify Brazil’s position and why you believe the election results should not be recognized?
**Celso Amorim:** Thank you for having me. Brazil firmly believes that the principle of transparency in elections is fundamental to democracy. In the recent Venezuelan elections held on July 28, we observed that the detailed results were not made available to the public. Consequently, the declared victory of Nicolás Maduro lacks credibility and cannot be recognized by Brazil.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the importance of transparency. What specific steps do you believe should be taken to ensure fair elections in Venezuela going forward?
**Celso Amorim:** Transparency is paramount. I believe that the Venezuelan electoral authorities must ensure the publication of complete and detailed election results. Additionally, there should be international observers present to oversee the electoral process, which would help to bolster public trust in the outcomes.
**Interviewer:** Brazil has a longstanding position on non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations. How does this play into your approach to the situation in Venezuela?
**Celso Amorim:** Our approach is guided by respect for sovereignty and the peaceful resolution of disputes. We advocate defending democracy while refraining from imposing solutions from the outside. We hope to foster dialogue among Venezuelans and support their right to determine their own future.
**Interviewer:** You also expressed concern about the human rights situation in Venezuela. Can you elaborate on that?
**Celso Amorim:** Yes, the human rights situation in Venezuela is troubling. We’ve seen reports of repression against dissenting voices and significant pressure on civil society. These issues must be addressed if there is to be a genuine movement towards democratic governance and sustainable peace.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, how does Brazil plan to engage with the Venezuelan opposition, particularly figures like Edmundo González Urrutia?
**Celso Amorim:** We are committed to engaging with all stakeholders and encouraging dialogue among them. However, it’s crucial that anyone who claims victory does so through a legitimate and transparent process. We cannot endorse claims that stem from insufficiently verified data, as this could set a dangerous precedent for other democratic institutions in the region.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Amorim, for sharing your insights. It’s clear that Brazil is advocating for a democratic and transparent path forward for Venezuela.
**Celso Amorim:** Thank you for having me. It’s essential to stay committed to these principles for the future of democracy in our region.