Oppositionist made ineligible by the Venezuelan dictatorship charges Lula for supporting Maduro: “Inadmissible position”

Former Venezuelan deputy María Corina Machado, who was made ineligible for 15 years by the Chavista dictatorship last week, said in an interview published this Wednesday (5) by the newspaper O Globo that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s position on the Nicolás Maduro’s regime is “inadmissible” and that Brazil loses credibility by supporting the dictator.

Recently, Lula caused outrage when he said that the allegations of human rights violations in Venezuela are a “narrative” and that he does not call the Chavista regime a dictatorship because “the concept of democracy is relative”.

In the interview with Globo, Corina regretted the fact that Lula had not commented on his ineligibility at the Mercosur meeting held this week. The issue was addressed by the presidents of Paraguay and Uruguay, Mario Abdo Benítez and Luis Lacalle Pou, respectively, who demanded the positions of the economic bloc on Venezuela.

“Lula was insistent in his desire to accompany a process of democratic transition through clean, transparent and competitive elections in 2024, but at the Mercosur summit he said he was not properly informed, I imagine that by now he will be. Given his closeness and friendship with Maduro, for Venezuelans and for all democrats in the world, it should be clear what Lula’s position is on this aberration committed by Maduro,” said Corina.

Last Friday (30), Venezuelan deputy José Brito released a document from the Comptroller General of Venezuela, which confirmed that María Corina Machado is prevented from running for elected office for 15 years.

The body of the Chavista dictatorship claimed that Machado’s ineligibility was determined after a property investigation that pointed to acts against Venezuela’s “public ethics, administrative morality, the rule of law, peace and sovereignty”.

Corina stated that she is concerned about the fact that Lula continues without condemning the Venezuelan dictatorship, because “Brazil’s influence in the region and beyond is indisputable”.

“Whether for reasons of ideological affinity or common projects, Lula’s position is inadmissible at this stage of the game, with 25% of Venezuelan society scattered around the world, thousands in Brazil; with an investigation into crimes against humanity advancing at the International Criminal Court; when there are well-documented accusations in international justice about corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering and terrorist financing; Ripe is toxic,” said Corina.

“I think the Brazilian government can make a significant contribution to a peaceful transition in Venezuela, but not by throwing a tantrum and justifying Maduro’s crimes. Thus, Brazil loses moral authority compared to other democratic actors to become a reliable interlocutor. You cannot demonstrate this level of supposed ignorance”, criticized the oppositionist.