Brazil and Venezuela face a tough road back to sanity

Latin American democracy is being put to the test in Brazil and Venezuela.At stake is whether the left-wing government in either country can countenance the idea of legitimate opposition.The day after losing Brazil’s presidential election, Sen.Flavio Bolsonaro was ordered to hand over his passports and remain in Brazil.His uncle, also a senator, had warned him to flee or face certain arrest if he was defeated.The opposition leader seems to have heeded this advice — he’s reportedly trying to reach the United States.As Brazilians went to the polls Sunday to choose between Bolsonaro and leftist incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, another Latin American opposition leader had just returned to her home country after nearly a year in exile: Venezuela’s María Corina Machado.Her freedom, and her life, are now at the mercy of the socialist dictatorship led by Delcy Rodriguez, who took power after the US capture of Nicolás Maduro in January.Venezuela has not had even the semblance of a free presidential election since 2013, following the death of Hugo Chavez, the socialist who established the present regime.And Maduro’s victory that year — by less than 2 points — has been much questioned.President Donald Trump has his own questions about what happened Sunday in Brazil.A judge who was once Lula’s personal attorney kept polling places open an extra two hours, after the incumbent complained about a lack of adequate public transportation in cities where he expected to do well.“It looked like another rigged election, frankly,” Trump told reporters afterward.“I didn’t take sides, but it was a terrible look for the world.”Bolsonaro was inclined to challenge the results, calling for the election to be annulled because of judicial interference — but he backed down.Instead, he only accused Lula of using his power as an incumbent to affect the vote, a complaint unsuccessful candidates often lodge against winners in Brazil’s elections.Bolsonaro...