Nuland says she hopes Brazil will pressure Venezuela to "promote free elections"

247 – The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland, emphasized the importance of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's role in promoting free and transparent elections in Venezuela. According to her, Brazil can have a decisive influence in convincing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to allow a fair electoral process in his country. She stated this in an interview with journalists Daniel Gullino and Eliane Oliveira from O Globo newspaper. Nuland said, "With Brazil's leadership in all of this, and particularly its (diplomatic) ability, we hope it will influence Maduro to truly allow a free and fair environment for these elections, ensuring that all candidates can compete, that there is free media access, and that the primaries are open, all those kinds of things."

After a series of meetings in Brasília with Brazilian officials, including Celso Amorim, the advisor for international affairs at the Planalto Palace, and Maria Laura Rocha, the Secretary-General of the Itamaraty (Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Nuland granted an interview to O Globo newspaper. During the conversation, several topics were addressed, including the political crisis in Venezuela, the situation in Nicaragua, and efforts to mediate an end to the war in Ukraine.

The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State highlighted the partnership between the United States and Brazil and emphasized their joint commitment to pursuing free and fair elections in Venezuela. Victoria Nuland emphasized the effort to ensure that all candidates have equal opportunities, free access to the media, and open primaries, aiming for a transparent and democratic election in the neighboring country.

Besides the Venezuelan issue, the diplomat discussed Brazil's role as a potential mediator in the Ukraine War, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic dialogue between Ukraine and Russia. She praised the interest shown by various countries, including Brazil, in promoting a just and UN Charter-based peace in the region.

Another point highlighted during the interview was the situation in Nicaragua, where President Daniel Ortega has faced international criticism and pressure. Nuland expressed hope that President Lula can positively influence Ortega and seek solutions to respect human rights and release the priests detained for disagreeing with the government.

The U.S. Assistant Secretary also commented on Brazilian democracy, reaffirming the American government's support for Brazil's strong electoral system and belief in the democratic process in the country. She mentioned that Brazil has a unique influence in its relationship with Russia and China, and that cooperation between the two countries can lead to significant progress.

Regarding the climate crisis and the preservation of the Amazon rainforest, Victoria Nuland spoke about the United States' efforts to invest in the Amazon Fund and seek cooperation with Brazil to address environmental challenges. President Biden had already promised a contribution of $500 million to the fund during President Lula's visit to Washington.

Concluding the interview, the diplomat emphasized the importance of presenting the case to the United States Congress to ensure investment in the Amazon Fund, highlighting the mutual benefits of cooperation between the two countries.