São Paulo, Brazil – Brazil temporarily took over the diplomatic representation of Argentina in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, on Thursday, at the request of the neighboring government, following the expulsion of Argentine diplomats ordered by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
In doing so, Brazil will defend Argentina’s diplomatic interests in Venezuela, including the protection and security of six Maduro opponents who sought political asylum at the embassy in March. The Brazilian flag has already been raised at the Argentine embassy, and Brazilian diplomatic staff in Caracas are already operating inside.
Argentine President Javier Milei expressed gratitude for Brazil’s assistance, despite maintaining a distant relationship with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. On X, Milei said that the bonds of friendship between Brazil and Argentina are very strong and historical.
“I am immensely grateful for Brazil’s willingness to assume custody of the Argentine Embassy in Venezuela. We also appreciate the temporary representation of Argentina’s interests and its citizens there,” he said.
On Monday, the Maduro government announced that it would expel the diplomatic teams of Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay – countries that questioned the results of the presidential election held last Sunday.
Maduro claims to have won the election with 51.2% of the votes, while opposition candidate Edmundo González alleges fraud and claims to be the real winner. Milei was one of the first South American presidents to question Maduro’s victory, which led to the expulsion of Argentina’s diplomatic representation.
According to Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Worship, all diplomatic, consular, and defense attaché staff who worked at the Argentine Embassy left Venezuela on Thursday.
The ministry also stated that, from now on, Brazil will temporarily manage and take care of the properties of the two Argentine mission facilities in Caracas (the embassy and the official residence of the ambassador), their assets and archives, as well as the protection of their interests and all Argentine citizens in Venezuelan territory.
Additionally, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that negotiations are also in the early stages for Brazil to temporarily take responsibility for the Peruvian embassy in Caracas.
