Brazil denies interference in Guyana elections

The Brazilian Embassy in Guyana said it remains impartial following the appearance of one of the country’s politicians at an election rally of the ruling Peoples Progressive Party Civic.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Wednesday November 9, 2011 - Brazil has denied political interference in regional and general elections here after one of its politicians addressed a rally of the incumbent Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) on Sunday.

The Brazilian Embassy said in a statement that the address by Governor José de Anchieta Junior did not amount to interference in Guyana’s internal affairs.

It also stressed its “neutrality and impartiality” in the electoral process with elections due on November 28.

“The Brazilian Government understands that Guyana -as well as any country- is entitled to choose their representatives in an independent, free and transparent way,” the embassy said in a statement.

“Following this principle, the presence of a Brazilian authority to salute the communities at the above-mentioned meeting should not be construed as a support for any of the political parties contesting the forthcoming elections.”

The statement was issued after members of the opposition coalition - A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) - protested outside the Brazilian embassy Tuesday.

AFC presidential candidate, Khemraj Ramjattan said he plans to file a complaint today with the Assistant Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin.

Representatives of the two parties also met separately with Brazil’s Ambassador to Guyana, Luiz Gilberto Seixas de Andrade.

The PPP/C has denied that the governor was campaigning. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)