Argentina, Paraguay, Panama, Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru jointly released this Saturday (20) a document in which they call for the reestablishment of democratic order in Venezuela and the release of all political prisoners in the country. The Brazilian government, led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, did not sign the text.
In the statement, the six governments express deep concern about the migratory, humanitarian and social crisis in Venezuela and urge the country’s authorities, under the command of the Nicolás Maduro regime, to comply with international human rights standards, guarantee due legal process, restore democratic order and immediately release arbitrarily detained citizens.
A People’s Gazette contacted Itamaraty to question the reasons that led the Brazilian government not to sign the joint statement, but did not receive a response until the publication of this article. The space remains open for demonstrations.
According to sources heard by the agency EFEthe situation in Venezuela was discussed during the Mercosur summit held this weekend, but ended up being left out of the bloc’s final declaration due to a lack of consensus among governments. Brazil argued that any mention of the country, which lives under Maduro’s bloody dictatorship, should also include criticism of the United States’ military movement in the region and unilateral sanctions, a position that was not accepted by the other members.
Faced with the impasse, Argentina, Paraguay, Panama, Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru decided to release this separate statement on Venezuela. In addition to Brazil, Uruguay also did not adhere to the text, while Chile, present at the summit as an associated state, also chose not to sign.
The differences over the situation in Venezuela were evident during the speeches given by the heads of state at the summit. Argentine President Javier Milei publicly defended US pressure on the Maduro regime and urged Mercosur countries to adopt a tougher stance towards Caracas. In the opposite direction, President Lula stated that a possible military intervention in Venezuela would be a “catastrophe” for South America and defended a “diplomatic way out” of the crisis.
