The presidents of Colombia and Brazil, Gustavo Petro and Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva respectively, issued a joint statement this Saturday in which they reject the application of Unilateral Coercive Measures as a pressure mechanism against Venezuela.
“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,” the leaders said in the statement.
Likewise, despite the fact that the Venezuelan government has presented evidence of cyberattacks on its electoral system, the heads of state insisted on publishing the details of the results of the July 28 vote.
In this regard, they 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.
“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 dissemination, by the National Electoral Council, of the minutes broken down by voting table,” the statement said.
Below is the full text of the statement
Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Gustavo Petro held telephone conversations yesterday and today (23 and 24/8) 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 disaggregated 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 neighbouring 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 minutes broken down by voting table. 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.
