Brazil Takes Control of Argentine Embassy in Venezuela

Brazil has taken control of both the Chilean and Argentine Embassies in Caracas, Venezuela's capital, following the expulsion of diplomatic staff by President Nicolas Maduro's regime on Thursday. Six opposition members have resided in the Argentine embassy since late March following the issuance of arrest warrants against Maduro's political opposition, while Argentina has previously expressed concerns for those residing in the embassy following the announced expulsion by regime forces..The Asylee Question.Taking control of the embassy, Brazil will mediate concerns for Argentinians and Peruvians living in Venezuela, acting as their own nation's embassies in lieu of proper diplomatic staff. Previously, Argentina's representative to the Organization of American States (OAS) called for the international organization to address the expulsion of the nation's diplomatic staff and the well being of the six residing in the embassy..The representative for Argentina stated Maduro's government ordered those who were allowed asylum in Argentina to leave in the same manner as the Argentine diplomatic staff, raising concerns regarding the health, wellbeing, and safety of those granted asylum.."He [Maduro] tells the persons who have been given asylum to exit with the Argentine diplomats … they say it's just an administrative matter that Argentina should resolve, but how if they don't let them out? Do the asylees have wings so as to fly?" The representative stated. "Given the lack of guarantees without safeguarding the physical integrity or safety of our asylees, the Argentine Republic sounds an alert, a warning on this situation.".The representative further called the results of Venezuela's Sunday presidential election a "fraud," stating that the results of the election "have been published and have been up on the internet," by the opposition. The representative further criticized the Maduro regime for suppressing the right to vote in Venezuela to those overseas and foreigners who attained citizenship living in the country. This statement follows similar claims by President Javier Milei, who called Venezuela's Sunday election a "fraud" before calling on the armed forces to "defend democracy and the popular will.".It was likely this firm stance against Maduro's regime that ultimately led to the expulsion of Argentine diplomatic staff as other nation's which have spoke against Venezuela's contested Sunday election have faced expulsion alongside Argentina and Chile. Others have proactively pulled their own diplomatic staff from Venezuela, with the President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, announcing the recall of diplomatic staff on Monday just hours after Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) announced Maduro as the winner of the presidential election.."Panama joins the general rejection regarding the electoral result in Vzla [Venezuela]." The president said in a statement on X. "We aspired for the popular will to be respected and such a situation was unknown. We will act individually and collectively in favor of Venezuelan democracy. We will announce measures that we will adopt in accordance with inter-American rules in the coming hours.".Brazil's willingness to take over Argentina's embassy has come as a surprise to some, as President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has taken a far less confrontational route in regards to Maduro, simply requesting that Maduro's regime publish electoral results rather than directly calling the results fraudulent. However, with the occupation of the embassy by Brazilian diplomatic staff, the six Venezuelans' safety seems to be secured for now..Following the six's arrival, the group applied for political asylum in Argentina, an application which was ultimately approved by the country. However, despite this approval, Maduro refused to grant the six safe passage to be transported to Argentina, violating a previous agreement between Argentina and Venezuela as the latter's government never issued safe-conduct passes. Prior to Argentina's request for safe-conduct passes, Venezuelan authorities began a siege on the embassy culminating in the cutting of electricity to the diplomatic premises.."After issuing an arrest warrant, a siege began on the Argentine embassy in Caracas," said Omar González Moreno, a former deputy and one of the regional coordinators of the party's electoral command. "They have cut off our electricity. Refrigerators, water, and basic services.".Gonzalez Moreno further alleged "video evidence" of state workers tampering with "part of the equipment that allows only the residence of the Argentine ambassador in Caracas to be without electrical service.".The five others who fled to the Argentine Embassy included Magalli Meda, the campaign manager for Machado; Pedro Urruchurtu, the international coordinator of Vente Venezuela; Humberto Villalobos, an electoral expert; Claudia Macero, who is in charge of the party's communications; and a sixth unnamed person who requested anonymity due to security concerns..The move was met with concern from Argentine officials, with the government alleging that the cutting of power was a direct violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.."I greatly appreciate Brazil's willingness to take charge of the custody of the Argentine Embassy in Venezuela." Javier Milei, Argentina's president, said in a post on X. "We also appreciate the momentary representation of the interests of the Argentine Republic and its citizens there.".Attacks Against the Political Opposition.Following the Maduro's announced victory by the CNE, Venezuelan officials announced they will launch an investigation into opposition figurehead, Maria Corina Machado, and two other opposition leaders, Leopoldo López and Lester Toledo, for their alleged involvement in a cyberattack against Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) launched in North Macedonia. Attorney General Tarek William Saab claims that the attack sought to manipulate data transmitted from polling stations to the CNE during the election in an effort to illicitly turn votes towards the opposition which ultimately allegedly slowed down the CNE's efforts to collect and count received votes.."According to classified information we received, the main person involved in this attack would be citizen Lester Toledo, a notoriously infamous fugitive from justice, who is abroad," Saab said in a statement..Lester Toledo is a Venezuelan opposition politician who previously represented Popular Will in the Legislative Council of Zulia State. Throughout his life, Toledo took part in various protests against Maduro's regime following the President's rise to power in 2013, these anti-government demonstrations eventually led Toledo to flee the country in fear of government retaliation. Toledo now lives and works in El Salvador under President Nayib Bukele's Nuevas Ideas party..Saab announced that a team put together by the government was "gathering evidence to convict as a result of these actions, which sought to alter the results [of the election]," before stating that a conviction of electoral tampering could place those convicted in prison for three to six years..Following Saab's accusations, Costa Rica extended an offer of asylum to Machado, an offer which would ultimately be turned down by the former presidential candidate. "I appreciate the generous hospitality of the Costa Rican government in reaction to the brutal repression of the Maduro regime against citizens who defend the results of the Presidential election on July 28. Our priority is the protection of our fellow asylum seekers at the Argentine Embassy." Machado said in a statement on X, "my responsibility is to continue this fight alongside the people. From Venezuela, thanks to the beloved people and government of Costa Rica.".Opposition protesters have also faced increasingly violent acts conducted by both Venezuelan authorities and Maduro supporters. As of Wednesday, at least 20 people have died in these confrontations according to Human Rights Watch, while protestors vandalize Chavista statues, posters, and other media. One such attack against Chavista objects was the toppling of a statue of Venezuela's late president Hugo Chavez in opposition to Maduro's victory..Government repression of the political opposition is likely to continue to grow in the weeks following Venezuela's Sunday election as Maduro seeks to silence dissenters whose objection to a disputed election has harmed the President's legitimacy both in the eyes of the international community and those living in Venezuela. Analysts previously theorized Maduro's regime would specifically target Machado, who has been the face of the Unitary Platform since her victory in the opposition primaries in October 2023, with a government investigation into the figure likely confirming this theory..What Another Seven Years of Maduro Could Mean.Since 1999, Venezuela has been under the rule of socialists. First, with Hugo Chavez whose political ideology dubbed Chavism has been handed down to current President, Nicolas Maduro. Chavez ruled until 2013 when he died of cancer, leaving behind a massive power struggle as high ranking officials within Chavez's PSUV and the political opposition scrambled for power. Ultimately, after elections held the same year of his death, Nicolas Maduro was elected President with a mere 1.5 percent margin over his opponent, Henrique Capriles, the Presidential candidate for the opposition Democratic Unity Platform..Prior to the death of Chavez however, Venezuela wagered its vast deposits of oil for economic gain. These reserves, coupled with increasing oil prices in the 2000s ultimately led to Venezuela finding itself with a large increase in funds which was used to address poverty across the country. While critics of Chavez's regime claimed the then President used the funds to buy votes and ultimately support his rule rather than the good of Venezuela, the result of Chavez's work led to a 20% decrease in poverty across the country..This over-reliance on oil eventually led to the current economic crisis within Venezuela today, further exacerbated by poor fiscal decisions by both Chavez and Maduro throughout their respective tenures. In the early 2010s, these poor decisions made by Chavez ultimately left Venezuela's economy struggling with shortages of food and other goods becoming commonplace amid rising inflation and poverty rates..These economic issues only increased in 2015 amid falling oil prices coupled with struggles within Venezuela's oil production industry. During the start of the financial crisis within Venezuela, anti-government demonstrations became a common sight, a fact that Maduro's regime would seek to acknowledge. Maduro's government enacted a viscous crackdown on political dissent, with reports of authorities executing dissenters and imprisoning those who spoke against the government becoming more common..In the face of Venezuela's humanitarian crisis, both in terms of economic hardship and political repression, United States President Barack Obama designated Venezuela as a national security threat and issued sanctions against a number of the nation's political figures in an effort to force the hands of the country's political elite. Sanctions would increase in 2017 under the Trump administration, with these new sanctions targeting more Venezuelan political figures. President Trump would then sign further sanctions into effect in 2019, this time targeting Venezuela's oil, gold, and other industries vital for the country..In an effort to lessen sanctions against Venezuela, Maduro's government signed the Barbados Agreement in October 2023 with the Unitary Platform. This agreement was intended to promote political rights and electoral guarantees for those wishing to run for office ahead of the Presidential election. Following the signing, the United States and European Union relieved some sanctions against Venezuela's oil and gold industries. This relief would not last long however, as sanctions against Venezuela's gold mining industry were reimposed in late January following perceived failures of Maduro's regime to respect the agreement..With Maduro's victory in this year's election, Venezuela is set to continue the policies of Chavism, likely continuing the economic decline of the country. The original sanctions imposed against Maduro's regime are likely to be reasserted by the United States and the European Union following the wealth of accusations of tampering and repression during the election period, while political repression by Maduro's regime will likely ramp up with the conclusion of elections..Protests against Maduro's continued reign are sure to break out in the days following the announced results, while reprisals by the state are sure to follow.