Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has urged Venezuela’s government to respect the results of the upcoming election, expressing concern over Nicolás Maduro’s warnings of a “bloodbath” if he loses.

Maduro, who is seeking a third term, is trailing in polls against opposition candidate Edmundo González.

Lula, who has historically avoided criticizing Maduro, emphasized the need for a fair electoral process and announced that former foreign minister Celso Amorim will observe the election alongside members of the Brazilian electoral court.

Lula also praised U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to step down from the presidential race, expressing a desire to maintain strong U.S.-Brazil relations regardless of the election outcome, The Guardian has reported.

Written by B.C. Begley