Nicolás Maduro and Lula at the Celac meeting Social Media/@NicolasMaduro
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met this Friday (1st) with the dictator of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, during the Celac (Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean. According to the Venezuelan press, the two discussed issues related to technical cooperation in agriculture and livestock. In addition, it was about expanding cooperation, investments and organizing an entrepreneur meeting.
On social media, Maduro posted photos with President Lula and described the meeting as “fruitful.” “The aim is to further consolidate diplomatic relations in various areas for mutual development. Commitment and collaboration,” he commented.
The meeting comes amid increasing repression against critics and opponents by the Chavista regime. The Brazilian government expressed concern about this escalation but avoided public criticism.
Furthermore, the meeting also comes amid a tension scenario between Venezuela and Guyana due to the dispute over the territory of Essequibo. The dispute began after Venezuela claimed annexation of the territory.
On Wednesday (28), the Foreign Ministry, Mauro Vieira, assessed that the dispute between the two countries was “not a simple problem”, but that Brazil had managed to get the two nations to sit down at the table and unite to enter into dialogue.
“At the moment we have not solved the problem, but we have managed to get countries to sit down and start a dialogue, which is not short, it is not easy, but it has begun,” said Ambassador Gisela Padovan , who serves as Ambassador Secretary for Latin America at Itamaraty.
When asked about Brazil's role in resolving the crisis, Padovan emphasized the government's neutrality and the search for a negotiated solution. “Brazil is not commenting on the core of the problem between Guyana and Venezuela because it is not our responsibility. Our responsibility is to facilitate dialogue. Our position is based on the defense that the problem and the solution are a bilateral matter. “Respect for international treaties that form the basis of our Constitution,” he said.
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