In Brazil, Macri refers to Venezuelan president as dictator

He also described the election of Nicolas Maduro as “fictitious”

Published on 16/01/2019 - 15:01 By Ana Cristina Campos, Andreia Verdélio - Brasília

In a statement to the press after meeting with Jair Bolsonaro in Brasília this morning (Jan. 16), Argentine President Mauricio Macri said that the Brazilian and Argentine government share their concerns over the situation facing the Venezuelans. According to Macri, Brazil and Argentina reiterated their stance against what they termed “the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro.”

“The international community has already come to realize that Maduro is a dictator seeking to remain in power through fictitious elections, incarcerating his opponents and taking Venezuelans to a desperate situation,” Macri argued. “We reiterate that we recognize the National Assembly as the only legitimate institution in Venezuela, democratically elected by the Venezuelan people,” he added.

Bolsonaro said that Brazil and Argentina converge when it comes to their opinions and values. “This identity [serves] to enable us to work together in advocating for freedom and democracy in our region. Our cooperation in the Venezuelan issue is the clearest example at the moment.”

Maduro’s re-election has been challenged by the international community. He swore in last Thursday before the Supreme Court. For Brazil, his second tenure is not legitimate, and the National Constituent Assembly should take over in order to hold new elections.

Translation: Fabrício Ferreira -  Edition: Talita Cavalcante / Nira Foster

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