Brasilia, Nov 13 (EFE).- The Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, stated this Wednesday in an appearance in Congress that, despite the clear deterioration of Brazil‘s relations with Venezuela, the current moment has to be one of dialogue and not to break relations with the neighboring country.
“Although circumstances impose an inevitable decrease in the dynamism of relations, that does not mean that Brazil has to break relations with Venezuela or something of that nature,” said the chancellor in reference to Caracas’ recent decision to recall its ambassador. in Brasilia for consultations.
Vieira added that the Venezuelan ambassador was not permanently removed from the country, that the Brazilian ambassador in Caracas remains in her position and has very good relations with the Venezuelan authorities, and that he himself continues to maintain contacts with his counterpart from the neighboring country.
“On the contrary, the current moment is one of dialogue, negotiation and non-isolation, which are key to a peaceful solution to the crisis in Venezuela,” he assured.
Relations began to deteriorate since the presidential elections last July because the Government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva did not recognize the victory granted by the Venezuelan electoral body to President Nicolás Maduro, and they worsened in October when Brazil vetoed Venezuela’s entry. to the BRICS as a full member after the bloc’s summit held in Russia.
Since then, different Venezuelan authorities have harshly criticized Lula.
Vieira said that Brazil is not obliged to recognize Maduro’s supposed victory in the presidential elections because, by tradition, the country does not recognize governments but states.
«The current moment is delicate and requires professionalism and caution from diplomacy. Brazil’s practice is to recognize States and not governments. It is a tradition that seeks to avoid the politicization of the recognition or non-recognition of a foreign Government,” he assured.
According to the chancellor, Brazil has insisted on dialogue with Venezuela and other countries about the Venezuelan crisis not only because it is an important neighbor but also because it was guarantor of the Barbados Agreement, in which the Government and opposition defined the bases for the elections of this year, and because, at Maduro’s invitation, he was an election observer.
He added, however, that the solution to the crisis has to be “constructed” by the Venezuelans themselves and not imposed from outside with more sanctions and isolation.
«We already saw that that does not work. We cannot repeat the mistakes of the time when Juan Guaidó was proclaimed interim president. There were two presidents, but one only had a title and did not have a country to govern,” he said.
“That has nothing to do with interference or recognition of something political but rather the needs of a relationship,” he said.
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What specific strategies does Brazil plan to employ in its ongoing dialogue with Venezuela to address regional tensions?
**Interview with Mauro Vieira, Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs**
**Editor:** Good evening, Minister Vieira. Thank you for joining us today. You mentioned in Congress that Brazil should maintain dialogue with Venezuela despite the ongoing tensions. Can you elaborate on why dialogue is crucial at this moment?
**Mauro Vieira:** Good evening, and thank you for having me. It’s essential to understand that maintaining dialogue with Venezuela is vital for regional stability. While our relations have deteriorated, particularly after the last presidential elections, we believe that communication channels should remain open. Dialogue paves the way for negotiation and understanding, which are crucial for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis in Venezuela.
**Editor:** You referred to a decrease in the dynamism of relations. Can you provide more context on what factors have influenced this cooling off?
**Mauro Vieira:** Certainly. The deterioration began primarily because our government did not recognize the electoral results that awarded President Nicolás Maduro victory, which created diplomatic ripples. Additionally, Brazil’s decision to veto Venezuela’s entry into BRICS as a full member further strained our relations. These actions, while based on our principles, have inevitably impacted the level of engagement with Venezuela.
**Editor:** In your statement, you highlighted that you still maintain contacts with your Venezuelan counterpart. How do these communications help in navigating the current tensions?
**Mauro Vieira:** Regular communication is key. It allows us to voice our concerns and hear theirs, fostering mutual understanding. It also reassures both parties that despite differences, our diplomatic missions continue to operate. The Brazilian ambassador in Caracas has excellent relations with local authorities, which helps maintain a line of dialogue and contributes to easing tensions.
**Editor:** Some might argue that maintaining relations with Venezuela under these circumstances could be controversial. How do you respond to such critiques?
**Mauro Vieira:** While I understand the concerns, it’s imperative to remember that politics often requires pragmatic approaches. Breaking off relations would isolate us and potentially worsen the situation. By engaging respectfully, we can work towards solutions and support a pathway that prioritizes peace and stability not just for Venezuela, but for the region as a whole.
**Editor:** Thank you, Minister Vieira, for sharing your insights on this complex situation. We appreciate your commitment to dialogue.
**Mauro Vieira:** Thank you for having me. It’s important that we all stay informed and engaged in these discussions.