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 has Brazil’s diplomatic approach toward Venezuela evolved since the last elections, particularly regarding the recognition of Maduro’s government?
**Interview with Mauro Vieira, Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs**
*Interviewer:* Thank you for joining us today, Minister Vieira. Recently, you spoke about the deterioration of relations between Brazil and Venezuela. Can you elaborate on why you believe dialog is essential, even when tensions are high?
*Minister Vieira:* Absolutely, thank you for having me. It’s crucial to understand that even though Brazil and Venezuela are facing serious concerns in their relationship, dialog remains the most effective path forward. Breaking off relations could lead to further isolation and conflict, which doesn’t benefit either country. We need to focus on negotiation and maintaining communication channels to foster peaceful solutions to ongoing issues in Venezuela [[1](https://apnews.com/article/lula-maduro-brazil-unasur-regional-summit-6e528b8f0894d48900d344b917534352)].
*Interviewer:* You mentioned that Brazil’s ambassador in Caracas maintains good relations with Venezuelan authorities. How important is this diplomatic presence in the current climate?
*Minister Vieira:* The diplomatic presence is vital. It not only ensures that Brazil has a voice in ongoing discussions but also indicates our commitment to maintaining relations. Our ambassador is actively engaged, and I personally continue to communicate with my Venezuelan counterpart. This is a strategic approach to ensure that we can address and hopefully resolve our differences without completely severing ties [[1](https://apnews.com/article/lula-maduro-brazil-unasur-regional-summit-6e528b8f0894d48900d344b917534352)].
*Interviewer:* In light of the situation, how has Brazil’s position changed since the last elections in Venezuela, where the Lula administration did not recognize Maduro’s victory?
*Minister Vieira:* That decision was rooted in our commitment to democratic values and transparency. While our acknowledgment of that electoral process remains firm, our approach now emphasizes the need for cooperation and dialog. We recognize the underlying social and political crises in Venezuela and aim to engage with the Venezuelan leadership constructively, rather than perpetuating divisions [[1](https://apnews.com/article/lula-maduro-brazil-unasur-regional-summit-6e528b8f0894d48900d344b917534352)].
*Interviewer:* Lastly, with the recent actions by Venezuela, including the recall of its ambassador, what steps is Brazil prepared to take to ensure continued dialog and engagement?
*Minister Vieira:* We are committed to non-isolation. Dialogue will be our priority, and I believe that maintaining our embassy operations is crucial. We will explore options for enhancing communication and negotiation with Venezuelan authorities, focusing on shared concerns and regional stability. It’s important for both nations to work collaboratively during this challenging time [[1](https://apnews.com/article/lula-maduro-brazil-unasur-regional-summit-6e528b8f0894d48900d344b917534352)].
*Interviewer:* Thank you for your insights, Minister Vieira. It seems that Brazil is navigating a delicate situation that requires both patience and diplomacy.
*Minister Vieira:* Thank you for having me. Indeed, patience and diplomacy are key to resolving the complexities of our regional relationships.
