Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared it was “concerned” about the situation in the neighboring country, Maduro took office on Friday
O government of the president (PT) stated this Saturday (11.jan.2025) that “deplores the recent episodes of arrests, threats and persecution of political opponents” of the President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro (United Socialist Party of Venezuela, left).
The leader of the Chavista regime took office on Friday (10 January) for a 3rd term. On Thursday (January 9), María Corina Machado, the main opposition leader, was detained for a few hours during a protest in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital.
In a note, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it recognized what it called “gestures of relaxation from the Maduro government”. He cited the release of 1,500 prisoners and the reopening of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Caracas.
However, Itamaraty declared that it follows with “Great concern about allegations of human rights violations against government opponents in Venezuela”. Leia a (PDF – 151 kB).
“Brazil also urges Venezuelan political forces to dialogue and seek mutual understanding, based on full respect for human rights with a view to resolving internal controversies”says the statement.
Brazil and Venezuela went through a period of diplomatic tension when the Brazilian government requested the release of ballots with the results of the Venezuelan elections, held in July.
Chavista’s victory was widely contested by the international community, which raised accusations of fraud. The European Union and 8 countries refused to recognize Maduro’s re-election.
Maduro stated that . Lula sent Brazil’s ambassador to Caracas, Glivânia Maria de Oliveira, to represent him at the ceremony.
CORINA PROTESTS AND RETENTION
Thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets to against Maduro on Thursday (9.Jan). The events were held in Caracas, Mérida and Chacao.
Images published on X (formerly Twitter) show citizens with Venezuelan flags and shouting words like “freedom” e “out dictator” –in reference to Maduro. They also showed support for Edmundo González and displayed posters written “Edmund president”.
During the events, the opposition leader, Maria Corina, was by security forces.
Read what opposition and government about the episode:
- María Corina’s team – supporters of the opponent claim that she was “intercepted and knocked off her motorcycle” when leaving an anti-government demonstration in Chacao. She would have been “Forcibly detained”forced to record and videos and later released. The action would have lasted around 1h30;
- Maduro government – members of the regime claim that the supposed retention was nothing more than a “fake news” created to cover up the “failure” of the anti-Maduro demonstrations held on Thursday (9 January) in Venezuela.
