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Lula ‘scared’ by Maduro’s bloodbath warning ahead of Venezuela vote, president says
- Brazil’s President said: ‘I was scared by Maduro’s statements that if he loses the election there will be a bloodbath’
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![Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at Planalto palace in Brasilia, Brazil on Monday. Photo: Reuters](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/d8/images/canvas/2024/07/23/f79434c2-1567-4e59-b7a5-b2bac5a8d60b_81d1e09e.jpg?itok=-ZflICD8&v=1721673509)
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Monday he had been “scared” by Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro’s warning of a “bloodbath” if he loses elections on Sunday.
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“I was scared by Maduro’s statements that if he loses the election there will be a bloodbath,” Lula told international news agencies in Brasilia, as the Venezuelan leader prepares to seek a third six-year term amid accusations of foul play and opposition persecution.
“Maduro has to learn: if you win, you stay [in power]. If you lose, you go. And you prepare to contest another election,” said the leftist icon, back in office since last year after serving two previous terms until 2010.
“I hope that is what happens, for the sake of Venezuela and for the sake of South America,” he added.
![Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro during a campaign rally in San Fernando, Apure State, Venezuela on Sunday. Photo: Miraflores Palace / Handout via Reuters Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro during a campaign rally in San Fernando, Apure State, Venezuela on Sunday. Photo: Miraflores Palace / Handout via Reuters](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/07/23/475afb16-4143-43dd-ba02-66ebe35d0cee_595de0ff.jpg)
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