BRASILIA, June 6, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da
Silva on Wednesday called for Venezuela to allow for a large presence of
international observers during the country's upcoming presidential elections,
where Nicolas Maduro is seeking a third term.

The appeal to Maduro came days after Venezuela withdrew an invitation for
European Union observers to attend the July 28 vote, accusing the bloc of
"interventionist practices" because of its sanctions against Caracas.

In a phone call between the two leaders, Lula reiterated to his Venezuelan
counterpart "Brazil's support to the Barbados agreement and highlighted the
importance of having a large presence of international observers," the
Brazilian presidency said.

Maduro's government and the political opposition agreed in Barbados last year
to hold a free and fair vote in 2024 with international observers present.

Since then, however, the Supreme Court loyal to Maduro upheld a 15-year ban
on opposition primary winner Maria Corina Machado on what are widely seen as
trumped-up accusations, and arrested several other opposition leaders and
activists.

The United States, which had partially lifted sanctions on Venezuela,
reinstated them in April when it accused Maduro's government of political
repression ahead of the vote.

In the phone call, Lula expressed hope that "international sanctions on
Venezuela can be lifted" so that the electoral process could advance in a
"climate of trust and understanding."

Lula and Maduro also discussed bilateral relations, including the Brazilian
investment projects.

The Brazilian president also said he wanted to strengthen bilateral
collaboration around protecting the Yanomami Indigenous people who live along
the border of the two countries.