Venezuela has recalled its ambassador to Brazil following Brazil’s veto of Venezuela’s membership in the BRICS group, angering President Nicolas Maduro. This diplomatic escalation follows Venezuela’s disputed elections and growing tensions between Venezuela and several Latin American nations.
On October 30, 2024, Venezuela’s foreign ministry announced the immediate recall of its ambassador to Brazil, Manuel Vadell, following Brazil’s veto of Venezuela’s application to join the BRICS group, which comprises emerging economies. This decision has led to heightened tensions between the two nations, particularly as President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela views Brazil as a key ally. In response to the veto, Venezuela also summoned Brazil’s charge d’affaires to convey its dissatisfaction. While the statement from the foreign ministry did not formally address President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, it criticized the actions of Brazilian diplomats, alleging that they acted irrationally and contradicted the approval from other BRICS members by imposing a blockade against Venezuela’s admission. Relations between Venezuela and several Latin American countries have deteriorated following the disputed elections in Venezuela that were held on July 18, where Maduro was declared the victor without a detailed release of the results, a claim contested by the opposition. Brazil has refrained from recognizing Maduro’s re-election pending a comprehensive breakdown of the electoral results. Former Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim, who acted as an election observer, asserted that Brazil’s rejection was due to Venezuela’s failure to conduct transparent elections. Responding to this, the Venezuelan government characterized Amorim as a “messenger of North American imperialism,” prompting the President of the Venezuelan parliament, Jorge Rodriguez, to seek a declaration of persona non grata against him.
The diplomatic relations between Venezuela and Brazil are particularly significant in the context of regional politics, especially given the historical ties between President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Hugo Chavez, Maduro’s predecessor. Lula previously endorsed Chavez’s policies; however, he has shown criticism towards the current Venezuelan administration, deeming it authoritarian and unpleasant. This recent diplomatic dispute arose after Brazil’s government rejected Venezuela’s application to be part of BRICS, exacerbated by Venezuela’s contentious electoral processes, which have drawn international scrutiny and allegations of electoral fraud.
In summary, Venezuela’s decision to recall its ambassador from Brazil underscores the strained diplomatic relations stemming from Brazil’s recent veto of Venezuela’s BRICS membership application. This incident highlights ongoing tensions related to Venezuela’s disputed elections and broader issues of governance that have attracted regional and international attention. The Venezuelan foreign ministry’s robust rhetoric against Brazilian officials further illustrates the fragile nature of their political relationship.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
