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 are the potential outcomes of Brazil’s continued dialogue with Venezuela amidst the ongoing political crisis?
**Interview with Mauro Vieira, Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs**
**Editor:** Welcome, Minister Mauro Vieira. Thank you for joining us today. You recently spoke in Congress about Brazil’s relations with Venezuela, emphasizing the importance of maintaining dialogue. Can you explain why you believe dialogue is crucial at this moment?
**Mauro Vieira:** Thank you for having me. Dialogue is essential because it allows us to address the challenges we face with our neighbors without escalating tensions. Even though our relations with Venezuela have deteriorated, it remains important to keep communication open. This is a crucial moment for negotiation and understanding, especially with the ongoing crisis in Venezuela.
**Editor:** You mentioned that Brazil’s relations with Venezuela began to worsen following the presidential elections. How do you see the role of Brazil in addressing the political situation in Venezuela moving forward?
**Mauro Vieira:** Brazil has always played a significant role in regional diplomacy. While we did not recognize the recent elections, our focus now is on fostering a dialogue that can lead to a peaceful resolution of Venezuela’s challenges. We still maintain our diplomatic presence and good relations with Venezuelan authorities, which provides us with a platform to engage constructively.
**Editor:** Considering the Venezuelan government’s recent actions, such as recalling their ambassador, do you foresee any possible changes in diplomatic strategy?
**Mauro Vieira:** While circumstances have impacted the dynamism of our relations, it’s crucial to clarify that the Venezuelan ambassador has not been permanently recalled. Our ambassador in Caracas continues her duties, indicating that channels of communication are still open. Our aim isn’t to sever ties but to find ways to engage in meaningful dialogue.
**Editor:** You’ve highlighted the need for negotiation. What steps do you envision Brazil taking to facilitate discussions with Venezuela?
**Mauro Vieira:** We will continue to communicate with Venezuelan officials at various levels. The aim is to encourage dialogue that can lead to relief for the Venezuelan people and regional stability. Additionally, Brazil will engage with other countries to find a united approach to this issue, advocating for non-isolation and cooperation instead.
**Editor:** Thank you, Minister Vieira, for sharing your insights on this important topic. We appreciate your commitment to maintaining dialogue with Venezuela during these challenging times.
**Mauro Vieira:** Thank you for having me. It’s vital to stay committed to peaceful solutions and regional cooperation.
