Brazil and 13 other countries to recall Venezuela ambassadors

Brazil and the 13 other countries in the Americas making up the Lima Group—Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Saint Lucia—announced today (May 21) that they do not recognize the latest presidential election in Venezuela as legitimate. In power since 2013, President Nicolás Maduro was re-elected Sunday (20) with 67.7% of the votes, for another six years in office.

As a protest, the governments of Brazil and the other states in the group—formed in an attempt to seek alternatives for the crisis in Venezuela—will recall their ambassadors in Venezuela in order to provide clarifications.

“The Lima Group will continue to follow the developments of the situation in Venezuela, with the goal of adopting additional measures as necessary, both individually and collectively, in favor of the restablishment of the state of law and the country’s democratic order,” they declared.

Criticism

In an official note divided into eight items, the Lima Group made it clear that it does not acknowledge “the legitimacy in the electoral process that took place in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,” as it “does not comply with international standards for a free, just, and transparent democratic process.”

The group further voiced concern with the consequences of the election in Venezuela, particularly “with the deepening of the political, economic, social, and humanitarian crisis that deteriorated life in Venezuela.” This can be seen reflected, the text goes on, “in the mass migration of Venezuelans coming to our countries facing difficult conditions, the loss of democratic institutions and the state of law, and the lack of political guarantes and liberties for the citizens.”

Immigrants

In order to find an answer to the issue, the concerns of the Lima Group will be brought to the Organization of American States (OAS), with a focus on the increasing migration flow and the living conditions facing the population in Venezuela. An extraordinary Lima Group meeting is expected to take place in Peru in June.

Over the last few months, diseases like measles, malaria, and diphtheria started to reappear in the region. In a note, the countries making up the Lima Group recommend the strengthening of cooperation efforts addressing  epidemics, including the purchase of drugs and hospital supplies.

The group also intends to bolster and expand the exchange of information on financial intelligence regarding the activities of individuals and companies in Venezuela that may be involved in acts of corruption, money laundering, and other offenses, in order to freeze assets and impose financial restrictions.

“Financial intelligence units and the appropriate authorities in each country are requested to issue and update guidelines, communications, and newsletters countrywide, bringing to the attention of financial institutions the corruption in Venezuela’s public sector and the methods that may be used by Venezuelan public officials and their networks with a view of concealing and transferring funds stemming from acts of corruption.”