Brazil said on Saturday it was “surprised” by the Venezuelan government’s decision to revoke the authorization it had to represent Argentina‘s interests in Caracas and guard its diplomatic facilities, which it recalled were “inviolable.”
“The Brazilian government stresses the inviolability, under the terms of the Vienna Convention, of the facilities of the Argentine diplomatic mission, which currently houses six Venezuelan asylum seekers, as well as its assets and archives,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that it “will remain in charge of the custody and defense of Argentine interests until Argentina designates another State acceptable to” the Executive of President Nicolás Maduro, in order to carry out these functions.
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.
However, several opponents of the Maduro government have denounced that since Friday night security agents have surrounded the Argentine embassy in Caracas, “taken over” the accesses to it and cut off the electricity.
This episode represents a new point of friction in the relationship between Lula and Maduro, which has been strained in recent months due to the Venezuelan electoral process.
Lula has not recognized either Maduro’s victory or that of opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia, the latter of which was supported by part of the international community, and has insisted on the publication of the electoral records in a detailed form.
“I think Maduro’s behavior is disappointing… As president, he should prove that he was the favorite of the Venezuelan people, but he doesn’t do it,” Lula said Friday in an interview with a local radio station.
Lula, along with his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, and to a lesser extent with the Mexican leader, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, have unsuccessfully attempted to mediate between the parties for the disclosure of these minutes, which the opposition made public on the Internet with a result largely favorable to González Urrutia.
Following the publication of these documents, the Prosecutor’s Office opened a criminal investigation and issued an arrest warrant against González Urrutia, accusing him of “usurpation of functions”, “forgery of public documents”, “inciting disobedience”, “conspiracy”, “sabotage to damage systems” and “association to commit crimes”.
Maduro’s victory was declared by the National Electoral College (CNE) and later ratified in a controversial process that Maduro himself initiated before the Supreme Court.
Caracas / EFE
#Brazil #surprised #stresses #Argentine #mission #Caracas #inviolable
2024-09-08 21:02:05
Table of Contents
Brazil-Venezuela Diplomatic Tensions Escalate: A New Chapter in Regional Politics
In a surprise move, the Venezuelan government has revoked Brazil’s authorization to represent Argentina’s interests in Caracas and guard its diplomatic facilities, sparking a new wave of tension in the already strained relationship between Brazil and Venezuela. This decision comes on the heels of a complex web of diplomatic maneuvers and political posturing in the region.
The Background
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. This arrangement was put in place following the expulsion of members of both delegations, which occurred after Brazil and other countries rejected the proclamation of Maduro as the winner of the July 28 elections [[2]] [[3]].
The Venezuelan Move
Venezuela’s government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, has ended Brazil’s authority to represent Argentine interests in the country, citing reasons that have not been publicly disclosed. This move has been met with surprise and concern from the Brazilian government, which has stressed the inviolability of the facilities of the Argentine diplomatic mission, currently housing six Venezuelan asylum seekers, as well as its assets and archives [[1]].
The Brazilian Foreign Ministry has indicated that it will remain in charge of the custody and defense of Argentine interests until Argentina designates another state acceptable to the Venezuelan government. Meanwhile, opponents of the Maduro government have denounced the presence of security agents surrounding the Argentine embassy in Caracas, who have allegedly ”taken over” access to the facility and cut off electricity.
Regional Implications
This episode represents a new point of friction in the relationship between Brazilian President Lula and Maduro, which has been strained in recent months due to the Venezuelan electoral process. Lula has not recognized either Maduro’s victory or that of opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia, and has insisted on the publication of the electoral records in a detailed form.
Lula, along with his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, and to a lesser extent with the Mexican leader, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, have unsuccessfully attempted to mediate between the parties for the disclosure of these minutes, which the opposition made public on the internet with a result largely favorable to González Urrutia.
The Way Forward
As tensions continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how this situation will be resolved. The Brazilian government has reiterated its commitment to upholding the principles of international law and protecting the interests of Argentine citizens in Venezuela. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government has not provided a clear explanation for its decision, leaving room for speculation and concern.
In a region where diplomatic relations are already fragile, this latest development only adds to the uncertainty and mistrust. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the consequences of this move will be felt far beyond the borders of Venezuela and Brazil, with implications for regional politics and international relations.
Additional Resources
For those interested in exploring the cultural connections between Brazil, Venezuela, and Argentina, consider checking out “Nostalgia: Music from Brazil, Venezuela & Argentina” - a CD featuring a collection of music from these three countries [[1]].
What are the implications of Venezuela revoking Brazil’s diplomatic custody of Argentina’s missions in Caracas?
Brazil-Venezuela Diplomatic Tensions Escalate: A New Chapter in Regional Politics
In a surprise move, the Venezuelan government has revoked Brazil’s authorization to represent Argentina’s interests in Caracas and guard its diplomatic facilities, sparking a new wave of tension in the already strained relationship between Brazil and Venezuela. This decision comes on the heels of a complex web of diplomatic maneuvers and political posturing in the region.
The Background
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. This arrangement was put in place following the expulsion of members of both delegations,