Lula Doubts Maduro’s Victory, Demands Proof of Venezuelan Election

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has stated that he does not recognize the victory of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela’s presidential elections, despite the ruling being validated by the country’s Supreme Court. Lula, along with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, has been leading efforts to mediate between Maduro and the opposition, demanding the release of detailed election results, scrutinized at each polling station. Lula’s stance aligns him with a number of Latin American countries, the United States, and the European Union, all of whom have rejected the validation of Maduro’s win. The opposition in Venezuela has published what it claims are more than 80% of the voting records, alleging they prove Maduro’s victory was fraudulent. Lula, a strong ally of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, has stated that while he does not believe Venezuela is a dictatorship, he does see it as an authoritarian regime. Venezuela has accused international actors of interfering in its internal affairs, highlighting that they did not criticize former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s claims of election fraud. Despite this, Lula maintains his commitment to promoting peace and democracy in Venezuela.