The governments of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and Peru consider that the regional gubernatorial elections to be held on 15 October in Venezuela must be held within a framework of full respect for the Venezuelan Constitution and Venezuela's Electoral Law.

They urge the Venezuelan government and the Venezuelan Electoral Council to act within the scope of their powers, with full transparency, impartiality and objectivity, and to guarantee that all candidates can participate freely, including the right to substitute candidates in accordance with the law, and that elections be held with full respect for free, secret, and universal suffrage, in the presence of international observers so that results truly reflect the popular will and have the required legitimacy.

Finally, they call for the Venezuelan people to be able to exercise their civil rights and vote on 15 October in elections held without any interference and peacefully across the country.

Press release No. 444/17
Press Office: 4819-7375 / 8296 / 7388
www.cancilleria.gob.ar
@CancilleriaARG