Brazil to represent interests of Argentina and Peru in Venezuela after election dispute

Brazil, along with Colombia and Mexico, has called for the release of the full voting results of the election. So far, Venezuela's electoral authorities have not done so.

Venezuelan nationals protest against the results of their country's presidential election, in Quito, Ecuador. (AP photo)

Brazil announced on Monday that it will represent the interests of Argentina and Peru in Venezuela. This decision comes after Venezuela cut ties with these two countries following its disputed presidential election on July 28.

Brazil, along with Colombia and Mexico, has called for the release of the full voting results from the election. So far, Venezuela’s electoral authorities have not done so, even though they declared that President Nicolas Maduro won reelection for a third term.

This led to Venezuela expelling diplomats from Argentina and Peru, who recognized opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the real winner.

Starting Monday, Brazil’s embassy in Caracas will take care of the diplomatic offices of Argentina and Peru in Venezuela, including properties and files.

A Brazilian official said that Brazil will help with issues related to Argentina and Peru’s citizens in Venezuela.

Diplomats from Chile, Uruguay, Panama, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic have also left Venezuela, as their governments recognized Gonzalez as the winner.

On Saturday, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado joined thousands of supporters in Caracas to protest the election results.

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Despite concerns for her safety, Machado is determined to challenge the results. She told the crowd, “Just as it took us a long time to achieve electoral victory, now comes a stage that we take day by day, but we have never been as strong as today, never.”

Violent protests have broken out since the National Electoral Council announced that Maduro won 51% of the vote, with Gonzalez getting 44%.

The lack of detailed polling data has raised doubts about the results, and Gonzalez was leading in independent polls and exit surveys.

Also Read: | Masked assailants ransack Venezuela opposition’s headquarters as post-election tensions mount

The opposition claims the election was fraudulent, while the government has threatened to crack down on opposition leaders.

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Venezuela’s constitution gives the President significant power, and an amendment in 2009 allows the President to stay in office indefinitely. The Socialist Party maintains strong control over the government.

In July 2023, Maduro banned Machado from holding public office for 15 years, leading to Gonzalez being chosen as the opposition candidate.

There have been ongoing allegations of government interference in the courts and the electoral council, along with tight media control and harassment of journalists.

The President also controls major industries and resources, with the military as a key ally.

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Also Read: | Why Nicolas Maduro’s re-election has triggered protests in Venezuela, criticism abroad

Global reactions to the election have been mixed. The US condemned the alleged fraud, while Russia and China supported Maduro’s reelection.

Latin American countries are divided, with some rejecting the outcome and others, like Cuba and Bolivia, supporting it.

Venezuela cut diplomatic ties with nine Latin American countries after they called for an emergency meeting to discuss the election results.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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