Brazil gov't condemns Venezuela decisions against opposition members

The Brazilian government repudiated the decisions made by Venezuela against parties and candidates in the opposition. In a note released Tuesday (Feb 6), the Brazilian Foreign Ministry says there have been “systematic and unacceptable efforts by the authoritarian Venezuelan regime to thwart the endeavors of political parties, fronts, and personalities in the opposition.”

The Ministry sees the decision as another sign of the “utter disregard” of the authorities of the neighboring country towards political diversity. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro will seek re-election in the anticipated presidential elections, slated to be held by April 30.

The Brazilian government mentions the decision made last Friday (2) by the Venezuelan electoral council to invalidate the anti-government Justice First party, of Henrique Capriles.

Also named were the invalidation of the Mesa de la Unidad Democrática and the Voluntad Popular, as well as the removal of the political rights of Leopoldo López, Antônio Ledezma, Maria Corina Machado, Henrique Capriles, Freddy Guevara and David Smolanski, among others.

“The Brazilian government reiterates it is convinced that the reconciliation of the Venezuelan people will be attained through bona fide dialog with the participation of opposition forces as well as society, in search of a peaceful answer to the crisis so severely assailing our brothers,” the note reads.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira