Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed Thursday the decision of the U.S. government to partially lift the sanctions it had imposed on Venezuela.
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Such decision was taken following the agreement between the Venezuelan government and the opposition to guarantee the 2024 presidential elections.
Lula demanded that the measure be permanent in order to stabilize the region. According to the president, "the total and permanent lifting of sanctions will contribute to normalize Venezuelan politics and stabilize the region".
Through his official account on the social network X, Lula said, "I received with satisfaction the news that the U.S. government withdrew sanctions against Venezuela after the Venezuelan government and the opposition reached an agreement for holding fair elections next year."
The tweet reads, "I was pleased to hear that the U.S. government has lifted sanctions against Venezuela, after the Venezuelan government and opposition signed an agreement for fair elections next year. Unilateral sanctions harm the population of the countries affected and hinder mediation and conflict resolution processes. The total and permanent lifting of sanctions helps to normalize Venezuelan politics and stabilize the region."
The president denounced unilateral sanctions that end up harming the population of the affected countries "and hinder the processes of mediation and conflict resolution," Lula said.
He also said that the end of sanctions against Venezuela by the United States must be a matter that is maintained over time. The leader of the Workers' Party reestablished relations with Venezuela at the highest level upon taking office on January 1.
The U.S. government announced the day before the temporary cessation of a series of economic sanctions against the Venezuelan oil, gas and gold sectors. According to Joe Biden's administration, the measure will be in force for six months and could be extended subject to the compliance of the parties to the agreement.
The decision comes after the Government of President Nicolás Maduro and the leaders of the opposition United Platform signed in Barbados an agreement to guarantee the holding of presidential elections in the second semester of 2024.