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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How could Brazil’s diplomatic efforts impact the political landscape in Latin America as a whole?
**Interview with Dr. Sofia Almeida, Latin American Relations Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Almeida. In light of the recent statements made by Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira regarding relations with Venezuela, what is your assessment of the current diplomatic landscape between the two nations?
**Dr. Almeida:** Thank you for having me. It’s quite a nuanced situation. Minister Vieira’s emphasis on dialogue despite the strained relations indicates a willingness to engage, which is crucial. The recall of the Venezuelan ambassador by Caracas is certainly a sign of deterioration, but it’s essential to recognize that both sides still maintain their ambassadors in office. This suggests that there is an interest in keeping lines of communication open.
**Interviewer:** Vieira mentioned that the current moment calls for “negotiation and non-isolation.” How significant do you think this approach is for the broader region?
**Dr. Almeida:** It’s extremely significant. Brazil’s stance could potentially set a precedent for how countries in Latin America approach conflicts within the region. Maintaining dialogue fosters a climate where solutions can be negotiated rather than imposed. Given the historical tensions, prioritizing communication may contribute to a more stable political environment in both Brazil and Venezuela.
**Interviewer:** The context of Brazil’s non-recognition of Maduro’s electoral victory and the veto of Venezuela’s BRICS entry is quite critical. How does this historical backdrop influence their current interactions?
**Dr. Almeida:** It plays a substantial role. Brazil’s initial refusal to recognize Maduro’s victory signaled a shift in regional alliances and highlighted differing political ideologies within Latin America. The veto of Venezuela’s BRICS entry further emphasized this rift. However, the current push for dialogue indicates a potential shift in Brazil’s strategy—moving from confrontation toward engagement, perhaps in hopes of influencing positive change in Venezuela’s political crisis.
**Interviewer:** What do you think might be the implications if Brazil continues on this path of dialogue?
**Dr. Almeida:** If Brazil can successfully navigate this diplomatic balance, it could enhance Brazil’s role as a regional leader and peace broker in Latin America. It might also encourage other nations to adopt a similar approach rather than resorting to isolation or sanctions, which often exacerbate conflicts. However, this will require careful diplomacy to ensure that engagement leads to meaningful results.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Almeida, for your insights on this important topic.
**Dr. Almeida:** My pleasure. It’s an evolving situation, and I look forward to seeing how it develops.