Argentina's incoming foreign minister urges fair vote in Venezuela

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro must be encouraged to ensure Sunday's parliamentary election is democratic, Argentina's Foreign Minister-designate Susana Malcorra said on Wednesday. Malcorra's comments followed a call from Argentine President-elect Mauricio Macri for Venezuela to be suspended from regional trade bloc Mercosur because of rights abuse accusations, including jailing political opponents. "We must encourage the Venezuelan government that Sunday be handled within the strictest democratic framework," Malcorra, who was U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon's chief adviser before taking up the ministerial post, told reporters in Buenos Aires. More…