Biden and Lula urge Venezuela to publish election records for transparency.

In a context of increasing political tension in Venezuela following the recent elections, the presidents of the United States and Brazil, Joe Biden and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, respectively, have agreed on the urgent need for Venezuela’s National Electoral Council to publish the voting records immediately. This phone conversation, considered an important step in international cooperation regarding Venezuela's political future, underscores both leaders' concerns about the transparency and legitimacy of the electoral process. The dialogue took place after the elections held last Sunday, which have been controversial from the very beginning. Biden and Lula concurred that the disclosure of complete and detailed data is essential to restore trust in an electoral system that has been questioned both nationally and internationally. The White House issued a statement highlighting the importance of electoral transparency as a fundamental pillar of democracy in the region. During the conversation, Biden thanked Lula for his efforts in mediating between Nicolás Maduro's government and the opposition, a role that has gained relevance at a time when Venezuelan politics is facing a deep crisis. Lula, for his part, reiterated his commitment to work towards normalizing the political process in Venezuela, emphasizing that the publication of the voting records is a crucial step towards pacification and the restoration of democratic order. The post-electoral atmosphere in Venezuela has been marked by polarization and distrust. According to the National Electoral Council, Maduro won the elections with 51.2% of the votes, while the opposition claims to have data suggesting that the opposition candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, received over 70%. These contradictory figures have fueled a series of protests, during which reports indicate that nearly 750 people have been detained, and at least 11 fatalities have been reported. Numerous countries and international organizations have called on Venezuelan authorities to make the voting records public. The lack of transparency in the electoral process has led many citizens to question the legitimacy of the results, and the situation is becoming more tense as protests escalate in various cities across the country. Both international and local pressure is increasing, and many believe that the future of democracy in Venezuela depends on a clear and immediate response from the CNE. In addition to addressing the Venezuelan crisis, the conversation between Biden and Lula also included broader topics related to democracy in the Americas. Lula extended an invitation to Biden to participate in a meeting of "democratic countries against extremism," scheduled for September at the United Nations General Assembly. This gathering reflects a shared desire between the two presidents to strengthen cooperation in the fight for democracy and stability in the region. The context in which this conversation unfolded is also significant. Following the recent electoral debate between Biden and Trump, Lula expressed concern over the "vulnerability" of the Democratic candidate but stated that the decision to withdraw from the electoral race is solely Biden's. Such exchanges reinforce the idea that bilateral relations between the United States and Brazil are in a phase of growth, a phenomenon that could have positive repercussions for politics in Latin America. As the elections in the United States approach, the situation in Venezuela could become a key topic in the political discourse of Biden and other international actors. The search for peaceful and democratic solutions to the Venezuelan crisis could resonate not only in U.S. domestic politics but also in the elections of other countries in the region, where power dynamics are in constant evolution. The immediate future of Venezuela appears uncertain, but international pressure for transparency and accountability could act as a catalyst for significant change. The willingness of Biden and Lula to coordinate efforts in this regard may indicate that an international coalition in favor of democracy in the South American country is forming. In this context, the international community will be attentive to the next steps taken by the CNE and how the Venezuelan people will respond to these events.