FOZ DE IGUAZÚ, Brazil, November 26, 2023 — Six Latin American nations issued a joint declaration saturday calling for a “peaceful†return to democracy in Venezuela and “unrestricted respect for human rights,†signaling a growing regional rift over how to address the ongoing crisis in the South American country. The move underscores escalating tensions within Mercosur, as Brazil and Uruguay notably abstained from signing the statement.
regional Divisions Emerge Over Venezuela’s Future
A coalition of six nations is urging a peaceful resolution to the Venezuelan crisis, while others prioritize different approaches.
- Argentina, Paraguay, and panama spearheaded the declaration, joined by Bolivia, ecuador, and Peru.
- Brazil and Uruguay, both with progressive governments, did not sign the statement.
- The declaration calls for the immediate release of individuals “arbitrarily†detained in Venezuela.
- Argentine President Javier Milei publicly supports U.S. military pressure on Caracas.
- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da silva warned against military intervention.
the declaration, released by the Paraguayan Government, expressed “deep concern about the serious migratory, humanitarian and social crisis in Venezuela†and demanded the Nicolás Maduro government promptly release all citizens deprived of their freedom and guarantee them due legal process and physical integrity. The statement did not mention the United States or its military presence in the region.
what is the current state of democracy in Venezuela? The declaration highlights concerns over the lack of democratic order and respect for human rights, prompting calls for a peaceful restoration of thes principles within the country.
Mercosur’s Structure—Mercosur is a regional trade bloc comprised of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela are associate members.
According to Argentine media outlet Todo Noticias, Brazil was willing to include a mention of human rights in a broader Mercosur declaration but also sought to voice concerns about the U.S. military deployment in the region and reject “coercive unilateral measures.†When consensus couldn’t be reached, the six nations opted to release their own statement.
the declaration represents a more moderate stance than that publicly advocated by Argentine President Javier Milei during the summit.Milei openly welcomed U.S. military pressure against Caracas, framing it as a means of “liberating the Venezuelan people†and urging other South American nations to follow suit. “The time for having a timid approach in this matter has run out,†Milei stated. “We also urge all other members of the bloc to support this position and strongly condemn this authoritarian experiment.â€
Conversely, Brazilian President Luiz inácio Lula da Silva, the summit’s host, cautioned that military intervention in Venezuela would be “a catastrophe†and set a dangerous precedent for the entire region.
Venezuela’s Oil reserves—Venezuela possesses the world’s largest proven oil reserves, estimated at 303.8 billion barrels, significantly impacting its geopolitical importance.
Government sources confirmed the declaration was discussed during the bloc’s semiannual summit in Foz de Iguazú. The signatories included the presidents of Argentina, Santiago Peña of Paraguay, and José Raúl Mulino of Panama, alongside representatives from Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru.
