Carney and Lula urge a Venezuelan-led transition process

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said they support a peaceful, negotiated and Venezuelan-led transition, after reports that U.S. forces removed former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife and brought them to New York.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva about the situation in Venezuela and the two leaders affirmed support for a peaceful, negotiated and Venezuelan-led transition that respects the democratic will of the Venezuelan people. The discussion followed reports that U.S. forces removed former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife from Venezuela and brought them to New York. Both leaders emphasised the need to uphold international law and the principle of sovereignty. International bodies and other governments have commented on the reported action. Key points: - Carney and Lula said they support a peaceful, negotiated and Venezuelan-led transition that respects the democratic will of the people. - Reports say U.S. forces removed former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife and transported them to New York. - The U.N. human rights office said the reported U.S. action violated international law. - Canada called Maduro's removal "welcome news" but did not explicitly praise the U.S. raid; Lula described Washington's actions as crossing an "unacceptable line." Summary: The leaders' statements signal diplomatic support for a Venezuelan-led, negotiated transition while international institutions and governments react to the reported U.S. operation. Undetermined at this time.