Maduro must respect democratic process in Venezuela, says Lula

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Monday (22) that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro needs to respect the democratic process and the result of the Venezuelan presidential election, scheduled for next Sunday, so that the country can return to normal.

In an interview with international agencies at the Palácio da Alvorada, Lula also said he was frightened by a statement by Maduro stating that Venezuela would experience a “bloodbath” if he were defeated in his attempt to obtain another term as President of the country.

“I have already told Maduro twice, and Maduro knows, that the only chance for Venezuela to return to normality is to have an electoral process that is respected by the entire world… If Maduro wants to contribute to resolving the return of growth in Venezuela, the return of the people who left Venezuela and establishing a State of economic growth, he has to respect the democratic process,” said Lula.

The president said he will send his foreign policy advisor, former Foreign Minister Celso Amorim, to monitor the Venezuelan election, and that the Brazilian Electoral Court will also send observers. Lula also said he will talk to the Legislature about sending observers to Venezuela.

“I was shocked by Maduro’s statement that if he loses the elections there will be a bloodbath. Whoever loses the elections gets a bloodbath. Maduro has to learn: when you win, you stay; when you lose, you leave,” said Lula.

“I’m hoping this happens for the good of Venezuela, for the good of South America,” he added.