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 not 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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**Interview with Mauro Vieira, Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Minister Vieira. You recently addressed Congress about Brazil’s relations with Venezuela. Can you elaborate on the current state of these relations?
**Mauro Vieira:** Certainly. While it is true that our relations with Venezuela have experienced significant challenges recently, particularly following the presidential elections last July, it is crucial to understand that we are not advocating for a complete severance of ties. Despite the difficulties, dialogue remains essential.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that the Venezuelan ambassador was recalled but not permanently removed. How does this affect ongoing diplomatic engagements?
**Mauro Vieira:** The recall of the ambassador for consultations does indicate a strain, but it does not signal an end to our diplomatic efforts. Our ambassador in Caracas maintains a strong presence and good relations with Venezuelan authorities. Moreover, I continue to engage with my Venezuelan counterpart, which underlines our commitment to dialogue.
**Interviewer:** Given the recent veto of Venezuela’s entry into the BRICS, do you see this affecting Brazil’s influence in regional geopolitics?
**Mauro Vieira:** The decision to veto Venezuela’s entry was based on our current stance regarding their internal situation. However, we believe that maintaining open channels of communication and negotiation is vital—not just for bilateral relations, but for broader regional stability. Isolation is not a viable solution.
**Interviewer:** In your opinion, what does Brazil’s future engagement with Venezuela look like?
**Mauro Vieira:** Our focus is on dialogue and negotiation. We understand the complexities of the crisis in Venezuela, and we believe that through sustained communication and collaborative efforts, we can work towards peaceful solutions that benefit both nations.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Minister Vieira, for sharing your insights with us.
**Mauro Vieira:** Thank you for having me. It’s always a pleasure to discuss these important issues.