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.
.
#Brazilian #foreign #minister #current #moment #demands #dialogue #break #Venezuela
What are the main challenges currently affecting Brazil-Venezuela relations, according to Maria Gomes?
**Interview with Political AnalystMaria Gomes on Brazil-Venezuela Relations**
**Interviewer**: Welcome, Maria. It’s good to have you here to discuss the latest developments in Brazil’s diplomatic stance towards Venezuela. Recently, Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira emphasized the need for dialog despite the deteriorating relations. What are your thoughts on this?
**Maria Gomes**: Thank you for having me. I find Vieira’s comments significant, especially given the complex history between Brazil and Venezuela. His assertion that dialog should continue, even in light of tensions, signals a commitment to maintaining some level of diplomatic engagement. It’s crucial for regional stability.
**Interviewer**: Vieira mentioned that the dynamics of the relationship have decreased but insisted on the importance of negotiation. What factors have contributed to this decline?
**Maria Gomes**: The deterioration can largely be traced back to the political climate following Brazil’s presidential elections. Lula’s government has not recognized Nicolás Maduro’s electoral victory, which strained relations. Additionally, Brazil’s decision to veto Venezuela’s admission to the BRICS group in October further highlighted these tensions. Such actions usually create a significant diplomatic rift, but Vieira’s continued push for dialog is an attempt to navigate these challenges.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned Lula’s non-recognition of Maduro’s presidency. How might this impact future diplomatic relations?
**Maria Gomes**: This non-recognition poses a fundamental challenge. It not only complicates bilateral discussions but also affects how each country perceives the other’s legitimacy on the international stage. However, as Vieira suggested, maintaining open channels for dialog may provide a foundation for rebuilding trust over time, particularly if both nations can find common ground on regional issues, such as migration and trade.
**Interviewer**: Vieira also indicated that both ambassadors are still in their positions and that communication continues. How important is this in the context of diplomatic relations?
**Maria Gomes**: It’s very important. The presence of ambassadors and ongoing communication are essential for managing relations, especially in volatile situations. These channels can help de-escalate tensions before they boil over into more significant diplomatic crises. Furthermore, they provide a platform for negotiation and collaboration, even when broader relations are strained.
**Interviewer**: Given the current context, what do you think are the prospects for improved relations between Brazil and Venezuela?
**Maria Gomes**: The prospects depend greatly on the political developments in Venezuela and Brazil. If Lula’s administration can find a way to acknowledge the complexities of Venezuelan politics while still advocating for regional cooperation, we might see a thaw in relations. However, any real warming would also require changes in Venezuela’s domestic policies and governance. The focus on dialog, as emphasized by Vieira, is a positive step, but it will take time and effort from both sides to restore relations fully.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Maria, for sharing your insights on this important issue. It seems that while challenges remain, the commitment to dialog provides a glimmer of hope for the future of Brazil-Venezuela relations.
**Maria Gomes**: Thank you for having me. Yes, the path forward won’t be easy, but dialog is indeed essential for any meaningful progress.
