Venezuela opposition rejects Brazil election plan

Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's suggestion for Venezuela to call new elections after a problematic vote in July failed to gain traction with Venezuelan opposition or the US government.

"It goes to a second election — if you don't like the results, are we going to a third, a fourth, a fifth? Until Maduro likes the results?," key opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said on social media when asked about the plan.

Venezuela's government has failed to provide voting data that confirm President Nicolas Maduro won a third term on 28 July, a result contested by the US and other countries. The Venezuelan opposition has presented data indicating that its candidate Edmundo Gonzalez — a stand-in for Machado after Venezuela blocked her from running — won.

Brazil's president, a longtime ally of Maduro's mentor late former President Hugo Chavez, suggested calling new elections. Lula said that he could not yet recognize Maduro as president of Venezuela and called for release of voting records. Mexico and Colombia's leaders have also offered to mediate.

"If he [Maduro] has good sense … perhaps he could even call new elections, establish criteria for the participation of all candidates," Lula said.

Colombian president Gustavo Petro reiterated the call for a new vote on social media.

The US State Department had no reaction to the proposal for another vote, but again insisted on publication of electoral data.

"The US is in coordination with international partners, including Brazil, of course, to support an inclusive Venezuelan-led process to re-establish democratic norms," the State Department said on Thursday.

Venezuela's failure to ensure fair elections led to a reimposition of broad US oil and mining sanctions in April.

By Carlos Camacho