BRAZIL RESPONSE: DEMARCHE ON NICARAGUAN MUNICIPAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRASILIA 001532 SIPDIS FOR WHA/CEN AND WHA/BSC E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL BR NU SUBJECT: BRAZIL RESPONSE: DEMARCHE ON NICARAGUAN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS REF: SECSTATE 122262 Classified By: Political Counselor Stephen M. Liston, Reason 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Political Counselor delivered reftel demarche November 25 to Ambassador Goncalo de Barros Carvalho e Mello Mourao, director of the Mexico, Central America, and Caribbean Department at the Brazilian Foreign Ministry. Morao said that Brazil had expressed in the OAS its "apprehensiveness" with regard to the results of the Nicaraguan municipal elections, but also reiterated that Brazil has "confidence" that Nicaraguan civil society is best placed to manage the follow-up process in the most suitable manner. At present, he said, it would be "difficult" for Brazil to take additional action as urged reftel, but added that the Brazilian government would be following developments closely. Mourao agreed that it was important for the Nicaraguan government to understand that the region was concerned and noted that the Rio Group might be preparing a statement. KUBISKE