Regional neighbors call on Venezuela to cancel election

MEXICO CITY – A dozen countries from the Americas and Spain are urging the Venezuelan government to cancel the presidential election scheduled for May 20.

The Lima Group of nations says the election was not legitimately called by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, will not have international observers and won't be free, just, transparent and democratic.

Monday's statement followed an April 14 meeting of the countries' foreign and economic ministers in Peru to discuss the political and economic crisis in Venezuela.

The group's latest meeting Monday in Mexico City focused on what actions the countries could take after the election.

Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray expressed concern about the thousands of Venezuelans fleeing their homeland and the public health problems they are bringing to destination countries such as Mexico.