Argentina rejects Caracas’ decision to revoke Brazil’s representation of its interests

Argentina has expressed its “rejection” of Nicolás Maduro’s decision to “unilaterally revoke” Brazil’s authorization to represent Argentina’s interests and guard its diplomatic facilities in Caracas, official sources reported on Saturday.

“The Argentine Republic rejects this unilateral measure and warns the Venezuelan government that it must respect the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which enshrines the inviolability of mission premises,” the Argentine Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Between Friday night and Saturday morning, Maduro’s opponents denounced a state of “siege” at the Argentine Embassy in the Venezuelan capital – which was under Brazilian protection after the expulsion of the diplomatic mission of the southern country – where six asylum seekers are located.

“Likewise, (Argentina) denounces before the international community that at this moment patrols of the Venezuelan intelligence services and security forces are surrounding the official residence in Caracas. The Maduro regime has announced that it has unilaterally revoked the authorization granted to Brazil to guard the official building,” the Foreign Ministry added.

One of the refugees, Magalli Meda, said on social media X that police have “taken over” the “accesses” to the residence and that the electricity is “cut off,” something that Omar González, another of the asylum seekers, reported on Friday night.

“Any attempt to interfere or kidnap the asylum seekers who remain in our official residence will be harshly condemned by the international community. Actions such as these reinforce the belief that fundamental human rights are not respected in Maduro’s Venezuela,” warned the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In addition, the Government of Javier Milei gave its “recognition to the sister Federative Republic of Brazil” for representing Argentine interests in Venezuela and thanked “its commitment and responsibility in ensuring the safekeeping of Argentine properties in that country.”

For its part, Brazil declared itself “surprised” by the Venezuelan government’s decision, reminding them, in an official note, of the “inviolability of the Venezuelan government, in accordance with the Vienna Convention” and assured that it “will remain in charge of the custody and defense of Argentine interests until Argentina designates another acceptable State.”

Since August, Brazil has been responsible for safeguarding the diplomatic missions of Argentina and Peru in Venezuela, as well as representing their interests and citizens in the Caribbean country, following the expulsion of members of both delegations, after rejecting the proclamation of Maduro as the winner of the July 28 elections.

Buenos Aires / EFE