By Luis De Jesus
07 Sep 2024, 17:46 PM EDT
Brazil expressed surprise at the decision of the Nicolás Maduro regime to revoke its authorization to represent Argentina’s interests in Caracas, including the custody of diplomatic facilities.
In a statement, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry stressed that these facilities are “inviolable” according to the Vienna Convention, and that they house six Venezuelan opposition members who have sought asylum.
The Brazilian Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to continue protecting Argentine interests in Venezuela until Buenos Aires designates another country that is acceptable to the Maduro regime, Efe reports.
Since August, Brazil has been in charge of this representation following the expulsion of Argentine and Peruvian diplomats for not accepting Maduro’s re-election on July 28.
Tensions between Caracas and Brazil have increased after Venezuelan opposition members reported that security agents had surrounded the Argentine embassy in Caracas and blocked its access.
Today we have completed 170 days of isolation and asylum in the Argentine Embassy that welcomed us on March 20 of this year.
Exhausting!
In the last 5 hours, patrols, motorcycles and hooded officials have surrounded the facade of the Embassy, which has been under the control of police since August 1st.— MAGALLI MEDA (@MagalliMeda) September 7, 2024
From the Democratic Unitary Platform, we reject the irregular situation that is occurring outside the headquarters of the Argentine Embassy in Venezuela.
There are members of @ConVzlaComando who have been persecuted by Nicolás Maduro. We demand the cessation… https://t.co/kMvWorZhet
— Venezuela Unit (@unidadvenezuela) September 7, 2024
The incident has exacerbated the deterioration in relations between Brazilian President Lula da Silva and Maduro, which were already showing signs of wear and tear due to the controversial electoral process in Venezuela.
Lula recently criticized Maduro’s behavior, recalling that the Chavista leader has not proven his victory in the elections nor has he published the detailed minutes as demanded by both the opposition and international sectors.
Despite mediation attempts by Lula, Gustavo Petro of Colombia and, to a lesser extent, Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico, no solution has been achieved.
The Venezuelan opposition published the electoral records on the Internet, showing a favorable result for Edmundo González Urrutia, which led the Venezuelan Prosecutor’s Office to open an investigation against him for several crimes, including usurpation of functions and conspiracy.
Meanwhile, Maduro’s victory was ratified by the Supreme Court, controlled by Maduro, after a controversial judicial process initiated by the president himself.
Continue reading:
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