Joint Declaration of Brazil and Colombia

The President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and the President of the Republic of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, held telephone conversations yesterday and today (August 23 and 24) about the issue of the presidential elections in Venezuela.

Both presidents remain convinced that the credibility of the electoral process can only be restored through the transparent publication of disaggregated and verifiable electoral data by polling station.

The political normalization of Venezuela requires the recognition that there is no lasting alternative to peaceful dialogue and democratic coexistence in diversity. The two presidents urge all involved parties to avoid resorting to acts of violence and repression.

As neighboring countries directly interested in the stability of Venezuela and of the region, and as witnesses to the Barbados Agreements, Brazil and Colombia keep their communication channels open with the parties and reiterate their willingness to facilitate understanding between them.

Brazil and Colombia take note of the decision by the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) of Venezuela regarding the electoral process. They reiterate that they continue to await the release, by the CNE, of the disaggregated voting records by polling station and remind both the government and the opposition of the commitments made through the signing of the Barbados Agreements, whose spirit of transparency must be respected. They also express their total opposition to the continued application of unilateral sanctions as a tool of pressure. They share the understanding that unilateral sanctions are contrary to international law and harm the population of the sanctioned countries, especially the most vulnerable sectors.