Lula celebrated the uniting of the Venezuelan opposition around the candidacy of Edmundo González Urrutia.

The Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, this Tuesday described Venezuela's opposition around a candidate as “extraordinary”. He reiterated his desire that all sectors respect the outcome of the July 28 election.

“It's an unusual thing,” because the opposition to Nicolás Maduro “is met and a candidate is presented,” Lula said at a press conference, referring to Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia of the main coalition Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD). Anti-Savista.

González Urrutia has received support from other factions of the Venezuelan opposition in recent days She was elected by the PUD after election officials rejected first Maria Corina Machado's and then Corina Yoris's.

The Brazilian government, when these nominations were vetoed, expressed its “concern” about the restrictions imposed on the registration of candidates and received an angry response from the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Lula insisted on Tuesday that elections in Venezuela and other countries must be “transparent” and the results recognized by all.

He emphasized his desire that “the winner takes office and the loser continues the democratic struggle” and that “the United States withdraws sanctions to allow Venezuela to return all those who left due to the economic situation.” A reference to the millions of Venezuelans who have fled the country in recent years.

On the other hand, former Colombian president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Juan Manuel Santos said in an exclusive interview published by the newspaper this Monday. Folha From Sao Paulo, this one “Now is the time” if Gustavo Pedro and Luis Inacio Lula da Silva want to help the democratic transition in Venezuela..

According to Santos, the Colombian and Brazilian leaders' action this week is important because the reaction of the Nicolás Maduro regime is expected to unite the opposition against the former ambassador's candidacy. Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and disable it.

In that sense, the former Colombian president said it was “very important” for Lula and Pedro to tell Maduro to “respect this candidate.”

“(…) If Lula and Pedro really want to pressure Maduro to hold free elections, now is the time,” he stressed.

During the interview, Santos confirmed that Maduro is “clinging to power” and hopes to relinquish it only if he achieves a “dignified exit”. and the whole “commandment” otherwise “they will defend themselves and die there.”

The former Colombian president also pointed out that Pedro's proposal last week to hold a referendum in Venezuela to guarantee the lives and rights of those who lost the election had not worked.

Lula was briefed on the referendum proposal during his official visit to Colombia last week and although the Brazilian president has not made a public statement on the matter, Lula supports it, according to Pedro.

Both Pedro and Lula share the view that isolating Venezuela is not the solution, but their criticism of the candidacy of the largest opposition coalition, Corina Yoris and María Corina Machado, barred them from public office in popular elections until 2036. , they have received slander from Chavismo.

(with information from EFE)