Venezuela has strongly condemned Brazil’s recent decision to veto its admission to the Brics group of emerging economies. The Venezuelan foreign ministry labeled the move a significant “immoral aggression” during the summit held in Russia, which featured over 20 heads of state.
Diplomatic tensions between Venezuela and Brazil have escalated since the controversial presidential election in Venezuela this past July. Despite widespread evidence suggesting that opposition candidate Edmundo González won decisively, President Nicolás Maduro proclaimed his re-election.
Initially, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva showed support for Maduro, but he later retracted it, stating acceptance of the election results would only follow the release of a detailed vote breakdown.
While several international governments recognize the opposition’s electoral victory in Venezuela, they have refrained from officially acknowledging González as president. The Brazilian foreign ministry indicated it would uphold the long-standing veto against Venezuela initiated under former president Jair Bolsonaro, criticizing this stance for perpetuating “hatred, exclusion, and intolerance” from Western powers.
The Venezuelan foreign ministry expressed outrage, stating, “The Venezuelan people feel indignation and shame at this inexplicable and immoral aggression.”
Maduro made concerted efforts to join the Brics group, even making an unexpected appearance at the Kazan summit, asserting that Venezuela is “part of the Brics family.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who hosted the summit, showed support for Venezuela’s aspirations but noted that consensus among existing members is necessary for its admission.
“We understand Brazil’s position. We don’t agree; Venezuela is fighting for its survival,” Putin stated during a Thursday press conference. He mentioned having discussed the situation with Lula earlier in the week, although Lula had to cancel his planned visit to Russia due to an injury at home.
Putin expressed his intention to facilitate a reconciliation between Brazil and Venezuela.
The Brics alliance originally included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. However, the group expanded last year to include countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
Lula advocates for Brics as a platform to reform global governance, emphasizing the need for a more significant voice for developing nations. He has criticized perceived stagnation in global institutions and praised Brics’ expansion as a means of diversifying perspectives in international discourse.
Nonetheless, some critics argue that internal contradictions within the Brics, such as Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine and disputes between China and India, hinder its effectiveness.
The recent summit in Kazan was portrayed as a demonstration of Russia’s resilience against isolation stemming from its invasion of Ukraine. However, these efforts to solidify the group as a counterbalance to Western influence have also exposed divisions, placing Brazil and Venezuela’s relations at a historic low since Lula’s re-election.
