A Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved this Thursday 23rd Bolivia’s accession protocol to Mercosur, signed in 2015. The text, which has already passed the Chamber of Deputies, still depends on the approval of the Senate plenum.
To be accepted as a member of the bloc, Bolivia needs the consent of all Mercosur members: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay and their respective parliaments. The Foreign Relations Committee’s approval was supported by opposition senators who agreed to vote against accession.
Parliamentarians expressed concern about the possible presence of political prisoners in the neighboring country. However, the position of the opposition senators changed after the chairman of the commission, Senator Cid Gomes (PDTCE), proposed a visit to the country by a special commission.
“I think your suggestion is very valid and can really open up positive avenues for the people who are trapped there. It addresses the concerns of everyone here and votes positively with this reservation,” said Senator Marcos Pontes (PLSP).
Support for Bolivia’s membership in the bloc was a promise made by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) to President Luis Arce in the 2022 elections.