Venezuela closes border with Brazil after US action

The escalation of the political and military crisis in Venezuela had immediate repercussions on the border with Brazil. This Saturday morning (3), the Venezuelan government ordered the closure of the land crossing in the Pacaraima section, in Roraima, a few hours after the President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced a large-scale military operation that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro. The interruption occurred exclusively on the Venezuelan side; Brazilian access remains open and operating normally.

The measure was confirmed by Brazilian security and defense authorities. According to the director general of the Federal Police, Andrei Rodrigues, the corporation began to continuously monitor border access, especially in Pacaraima, the main connection point between the two countries. The PF maintains police attachés in Caracas, who work at the Brazilian embassy to collect daily information and anticipate possible developments in the conflict.

Despite the closure imposed by Caracas, the Brazilian government claims that there is, so far, no immediate risk to national security. The Army reported that the border region operates normally, with reinforced personnel and intensified surveillance. The presence of the Armed Forces in the area had already been expanded since Operation Acolhida, created to deal with the Venezuelan migratory flow, and was reinforced in recent weeks in the face of increased tension between Washington and Caracas.

Brazilian and Venezuelan Armed Forces maintain operational contact

The Armed Forces of Brazil and Venezuela maintain operational contact on the border with the aim of avoiding riots, congestion or incidents involving civilians. According to the Brazilian government, the Venezuelan government has allowed Brazilians and people in emergency situations to leave, while carrying out blockades and searches in areas further away from the international line.

In Venezuelan territory, the military set up a blockade about 20 kilometers from the border, near Santa Elena de Uairén. Images released by Roraima authorities show cones and physical barriers preventing the movement of vehicles and pedestrians. Residents of the region reported a climate of apprehension and the overt presence of Venezuelan security forces, who were carrying out a fine-tooth comb in the area.

The closure came just hours after Trump declared that American forces had removed Maduro from the country by air. During the early hours of the morning, explosions were recorded in Caracas, accompanied by interruptions in the electricity supply and the overflight of military aircraft at low altitude, according to reports from residents and videos circulating on social media.

Venezuelan government declares state of commotion

After the beginning of the offensive, the Venezuelan government released an official statement stating that the country was under external aggression and declared a state of External Commotion throughout the national territory. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez declared that she had no information about Maduro’s whereabouts and asked the United States government to provide proof of the Chavista leader’s life.

At the end of the morning, Trump said that Maduro and his wife were taken to a warship and should then head to American soil where he will be tried. According to the official Venezuelan note, mobilization plans were activated and political and social forces were summoned to react to the offensive.

The crisis also reignited old concerns in Brazil, especially in Roraima, a state that has historically suffered direct impacts from Venezuelan instability, such as increased migratory flow and pressure on public services. Governor Antonio Denarium stated that he is in permanent contact with federal agencies to monitor the situation and ensure the maintenance of order, security and essential services.

Political reactions and diplomatic articulation

In the political field, the episode generated divergent reactions. Right-wing parliamentarians praised the North American action, classifying it as a direct confrontation with a dictatorship that, according to them, exports instability to the region. Sectors on the left harshly criticized the offensive, pointing out a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty and international law.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), who was on vacation in Rio de Janeiro, is following developments from a distance, but kept in touch with Chancellor Mauro Vieira and Defense Minister, José Múcio. Itamaraty called meetings to assess the regional impact of the crisis. In a public demonstration, Lula stated that attacks on sovereign countries represent an “unacceptable line” and warned of the risks of an international scenario governed by force, and not by multilateralism.

Brazilian authorities emphasize that, despite the tense environment, there are no records of clashes, mass displacements or serious incidents on the border so far. The guideline is permanent surveillance and coordination between security agencies, while the federal government monitors the evolution of the conflict and its possible effects on the national territory. The situation remains fluid and subject to rapid change, in a context considered by analysts to be the most serious episode of instability in South America in recent decades.