Venezuela’s government escalated criticism of Brazil following Brazil’s rejection of Venezuela’s bid to join the BRICS alliance, exacerbating diplomatic tensions between the two countries. The issues stem from Venezuela’s disputed presidential election results, with accusations aimed at Brazilian officials for aligning with U.S. interests. Amorim, Brazil’s advisor, cited Venezuela’s lack of transparency and inability to meet BRICS membership conditions, while Venezuela condemned Brazil’s stance as irrational and imperialistic.
On Wednesday, Venezuela’s government intensified its criticisms of Brazilian foreign relations officials, accusing them of undermining diplomatic relations by promoting American interests. This assertion follows Brazil’s refusal to support Venezuela’s application to join the BRICS alliance of developing economies at the recent summit in Russia. The rejection adds to ongoing tensions between the two nations, stemming from disputed results of Venezuela’s July presidential election and subsequent demands for transparency from Brazil and others. Venezuela’s Foreign Relations Ministry summoned Brazil’s chargé d’affaires in Caracas, Breno Hermann, to convey its strong disapproval of Brazil’s official comments, which they deemed interventionist. The ministry specifically targeted Celso Amorim, a former Brazilian foreign minister and current special advisor to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, accusing him of acting as a proxy for U.S. influence by making unsolicited judgments on Venezuela’s internal democratic processes. Amorim acknowledged the diplomatic discomfort in a session with Brazilian lawmakers, attributing it to Maduro’s administration not disclosing comprehensive election results to confirm his victory, which the electoral authorities cited as impossible due to a cyberattack on their website. Meanwhile, Venezuela’s opposition alleged that they acquired data from over 80% of the voting machines, claiming that their candidate, Edmundo González, won decisively against Maduro. Following the July election, Lula and other left-leaning leaders, including those from Colombia and Mexico, sought to mediate the situation in Venezuela, but these attempts were ineffective, allowing Maduro to strengthen his regime. In its recent summit, Brazil opposed Venezuela’s inclusion in the BRICS, with Amorim stating Brazil favors members who can represent the region’s interests. He stressed that while Brazil did not veto Venezuela’s membership, they believe Venezuela does not currently fulfill the necessary conditions for inclusion. Venezuela’s Foreign Affairs Ministry condemned Brazil’s decision as irrational, drawing parallels to the economic sanctions imposed by the United States against Venezuela.
The tensions between Venezuela and Brazil have elevated following Brazil’s non-support of Venezuela’s application to join BRICS. Historically, both nations share a complex partnership influenced by ideological alignment but also marred by disputes, especially regarding questions of election integrity and governance. The recent rejection by Brazil acts as a catalyst for heightened diplomatic strain, revealing divisions in their bilateral relations in the context of regional political dynamics.
In conclusion, the rejection of Venezuela’s BRICS application by Brazil further exacerbates the existing tensions between the two neighboring countries. The Venezuelan government’s accusations against Brazilian officials, particularly targeting the influence of U.S. interests, highlight the fragility of their diplomatic relations. As both nations navigate these complexities, the outcome may have significant implications for regional politics and cooperation in the South American context.
Original Source: apnews.com
