Brazil withdraws as protector of Argentine Embassy in Caracas
Brazil has ended its role as the custodian of Argentina's diplomatic mission in Venezuela, a responsibility it assumed over a year ago after a rupture in relations between Caracas and Buenos Aires. The move reflects deepening political divisions in South America following the U.S. capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
In a diplomatic maneuver highlighting regional fractures, Brazil has formally withdrawn from its role as the protecting power for Argentina’s embassy in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas. The decision, reported on Saturday, effectively ends an arrangement that began in mid-2024, when Brazil agreed to safeguard Argentine diplomatic assets after President Nicolás Maduro’s government expelled Argentine staff in a political dispute following Argentina's elections.
Origins of the Custodial Role and Its Termination
The unique arrangement was established at the request of Argentine President Javier Milei after Venezuela severed ties with his administration. Brazil’s Foreign Ministry agreed to handle the affairs of Argentine nationals and protect Argentina's embassy compound, archives, and interests through its own diplomatic staff in Caracas. This protective mandate was formalized in an August 2024 agreement that also included Peruvian interests. Brazil has now notified both the Argentine government and Venezuela's interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, of its decision to relinquish this responsibility.
Underlying Ideological Clash Over Venezuela
The termination of this protective duty stems from a profound ideological and political rift between the governments of Brazil and Argentina, which has widened significantly following the recent U.S. military intervention in Venezuela. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has publicly condemned the operation that captured former President Maduro. In stark contrast, Argentina's President Javier Milei has voiced support for the U.S. action authorized by President Donald Trump. The discord has been amplified by Milei's social media rhetoric, where he has repeatedly labeled both Lula and Maduro as "dictators," creating a hostile diplomatic atmosphere between the South American neighbors.
Seeking a New Protecting Power
With Brazil stepping back, the question of who will assume the role of protecting power for Argentine interests in Venezuela is now open. According to reports in Argentine media, Italy has emerged as the leading candidate to take over the custodial duties. This prospect is attributed to the strong political and ideological alignment, as well as personal rapport, between Argentina's libertarian-conservative President Milei and Italy's right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The shift underscores how global geopolitical alignments are influencing diplomatic arrangements in a region experiencing renewed tension.
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