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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In light of Brazil’s recent diplomatic actions, such as vetoing Venezuela’s entry into BRICS, how does Minister Vieira envision maintaining constructive dialog with Caracas?
**Interview with Mauro Vieira, Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Minister Vieira. It has been a challenging time for Brazil-Venezuela relations. Can you elaborate on the current status of these diplomatic ties and some of the key factors affecting them?
**Mauro Vieira:** Thank you for having me. Yes, the relations between Brazil and Venezuela have indeed deteriorated, particularly following the controversial presidential elections in July. The Brazilian government did not recognize the results announced by Venezuela’s electoral authorities, which set off a series of tensions. However, while the dynamics of our relationship have certainly changed, I firmly believe that we must prioritize dialog over severing ties completely.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the importance of dialog. What steps is your government taking to maintain communication with Venezuela, especially in light of recent events such as the Venezuelan ambassador recalling their envoy?
**Mauro Vieira:** It’s crucial to note that the Venezuelan ambassador has not been permanently recalled, and our ambassador in Caracas continues to have good relations there. I remain in contact with my Venezuelan counterpart. Our approach is to keep open channels of communication, as I believe dialog, negotiation, and non-isolation are essential for resolving the ongoing crisis in Venezuela peacefully.
**Interviewer:** Some might argue that Brazil’s recent actions, such as vetoing Venezuela’s entry into BRICS, reflect a deeper desire to distance from Caracas. How do you reconcile these actions with your call for dialog?
**Mauro Vieira:** It’s important to understand the context of those actions. The decision to veto Venezuela’s entry was based on factors that reflect our commitment to maintaining integrity within international alliances. However, this does not mean we are closing the door to dialog. Instead, we are navigating a complex situation where we must stand firm on certain principles while still pursuing opportunities for conversation and cooperation.
**Interviewer:** Moving forward, what do you foresee as the path for Brazil and Venezuela’s relationship? Are there specific goals you hope to achieve through continued dialog?
**Mauro Vieira:** The goal is to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the challenges faced by Venezuela. We hope to build a cooperative framework that addresses the humanitarian and political crises there. It’s a long road, but fostering a dialog will help us not only work towards stability in Venezuela but also restore trust between our nations. We must remain committed to this path, despite the obstacles we currently face.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Minister Vieira, for sharing your insights. We hope to see positive developments in Brazil-Venezuela relations moving forward.
**Mauro Vieira:** Thank you for having me. It’s vital that we all work towards a peaceful and productive future for both nations.
