Lula Urges Maduro to Consider New Venezuelan Election

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva suggested Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro should call a new election with international observers or consider forming a coalition government to resolve Venezuela's political crisis. Lula emphasized the need for transparency and the release of voting tallies from the disputed July 28 election.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday urged Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro to consider calling a new election with international observers as a potential solution to the political crisis in Venezuela.

Lula proposed that a 'coalition government' could also be a viable option following the contested presidential election on July 28, which the opposition claims to have won. 'If Maduro has common sense, he could put it to the people, perhaps calling new elections with a non-partisan electoral committee,' Lula said during a radio interview.

The Brazilian president stated he has not acknowledged Maduro as the winner of the vote and insisted that the Venezuelan government must release the undisclosed voting tallies. 'Maduro knows he owes the world an explanation,' Lula stressed.