Statement of the Lima Group on Regional Elections in Venezuela

October 5, 2017

The governments of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and Peru consider that the regional elections to be held on October 15 in Venezuela to elect governors must be held in a manner fully respectful of the Constitution and the Organic Law of Electoral Processes of that country.

They urge the Venezuelan government and the National Electoral Council to act within their mandate, with full transparency, impartiality and objectivity, as well as guarantee the free participation of all candidates, including the right to name a substitute in accordance with the law, and that the electoral process be carried out with full respect for the free, secret, effective and universal vote, in the presence of international observers, so that the results may faithfully reflect  the popular will and have the required legitimacy.

Finally, they call for the people of Venezuela to be permitted to duly exercise their citizens' rights and to vote in the elections to be held on October 15 without interference and peacefully throughout the country.