Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro declared that his nation will not be silenced following Brazil’s veto of its BRICS membership application. This incident underscores the strained relations between the two nations amid Venezuela’s ongoing economic crisis and disputed election results.
On October 26, 2024, President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela asserted that his government would not be silenced following Brazil’s refusal to support its application for membership in the BRICS group of emerging economies. Venezuela has been grappling with a severe economic crisis, which the Maduro administration attributes to United States sanctions. President Maduro has long expressed interest in joining the BRICS alliance. Venezuela’s reaction to Brazil’s veto was one of outrage; officials labeled the decision as “hostile” and “immoral” during a summit in Kazan, Russia. Upon returning to Venezuela from the summit, President Maduro stated on national television that “no one will block or silence Venezuela, not today, not tomorrow, not ever,” although he did not directly address Brazil. Despite being a longstanding ally, the relationship between President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil and President Maduro has become tense, especially after the controversial outcome of the Venezuelan presidential election held on July 28, which opposition leaders claim was won by Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who subsequently fled the country facing accusations deemed by many as unjust. Celso Amorim, an advisor to Mr. Lula and former Foreign Minister, cited a “breach of confidence” as the reason behind the veto, indicating that Mr. Maduro had previously assured Mr. Lula that detailed electoral results would be released, yet he has not done so. Mr. Maduro contended that he had engaged with representatives from approximately 30 nations during the Kazan summit, with many recognizing his purported “great electoral victory.” The BRICS coalition currently includes members such as Brazil, Russia, India, South Africa, and China, with Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates joining in 2024.
Venezuela has been experiencing significant economic distress, exacerbated by international sanctions, particularly from the United States. This has led to President Maduro’s repeated attempts to gain entry into the BRICS group, which comprises major emerging economies. This group serves as a platform for economic collaboration among its members and provides a counterweight to Western influence in global economic matters. However, the diplomatic ties between Venezuela and Brazil have soured over recent electoral controversies, which have hindered Venezuela’s aspirations to join BRICS and highlighted internal political strife.
In summary, President Nicolas Maduro’s declaration of Venezuela’s resilience in the face of Brazil’s veto signifies the ongoing struggle for recognition and support amidst a backdrop of economic turmoil and political disputes. The fallout from the recent presidential elections in Venezuela continues to complicate relationships within the BRICS framework, particularly concerning Brazil’s stance and the expectations set by Maduro regarding electoral transparency.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
