December 6th Legislative Elections in Venezuela

As the legislative elections of December 6th approach in Venezuela, the Brazilian Government wishes to convey to the people and Government of that country the most sincere hope that the elections take place within the framework of democracy, transparency and broad participation of all citizens, for the benefit of the Venezuelan people and the entire region.

The Brazilian Government will continue to follow closely the final stage of the campaign, the completion of the voting process and the counting of ballots, with the constructive spirit demonstrated throughout the period in which it participated as a member of UNASUR Foreign Ministers Commission, responsible for promoting the dialogue between the Government and the Venezuelan opposition.

In the same spirit, the Brazilian Government participated in the negotiations which led to the signature of the "Agreement between the National Electoral Council of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Union of South American States for the electoral mission of UNASUR for the elections to the National Assembly of December 6, 2015", with the approval of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), and allowed for the conformation of the mentioned mission.

The Brazilian Government, which highlighted the importance of defining the electoral calendar and celebrated the announcement of the definition of the elections date by the National Electoral Council of Venezuela, expresses its support for the work of UNASUR Electoral Mission, under the leadership of former President Leonel Férnandez, and of other participants in the election monitoring process, such as the High Representative of MERCOSUR, Dr. Florisvaldo Fier, and the Latin American Council of Electoral Experts (CEELA).

In response to the invitation of former President Leonel Férnandez, the Brazilian Government appointed Ambassador Antonino Lisboa Mena Gonçalves to accompany the UNASUR Mission. Ambassador Gonçalves will assist the Head of the Mission, under the terms established by the Agreement.

The Brazilian Government expects these missions to have, within the legal framework in which they take place and with full respect for Venezuela sovereignty, the broadest possibility of action, so that they may contribute to certify the credibility of the electoral process and the legitimacy of its results.