A BRICS Summitthe group of emerging countries that includes Brazil, Russia, China and others, is taking place in Kazan, Russia, with the mission of accelerating the bloc’s expansion process. There is an expectation for the accession of new countries, such as Venezuelaalthough Brazil does not support this idea.
One of the objectives of the meeting in Russia, led by Vladimir Putinis to create a group of members associated with BRICS. These countries would have access to meetings, but would not have veto power. The plan is for this initial group to include ten countries.
Each BRICS member country presented its suggestions, but Brazil chose not to propose names, according to Itamaraty sources interviewed by CartaCapital. It was the only country in the bloc not to suggest new members.
In recent days, expectations have grown that Brazil would not endorse Venezuela’s entry into the BRICS. On Monday, the 21st, the special advisor to the Presidency, Celso Amorimhe told CNN Brazil who did not support the South American country’s accession: “I think it has to go slowly. There is no point in filling it with countries, otherwise, in a little while, it will become a new G-77”.
Interlocutors from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs state that Brazilian diplomacy is opposed to the inclusion of countries through lists and defends the need for clear criteria for the group’s expansion.
The Brazilian Foreign Ministry argues that new names should only be considered after the end of the negotiation process, currently led by Russia. The expectation is that the chosen countries will be announced next Wednesday, the 23rd.
BRICS negotiations
China leads the BRICS expansion process. This year, the group has already welcomed Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Iran as new members.
Last year, Brazil supported the entry of these countries. As for Venezuela, the president Lula (PT), in a meeting with the Venezuelan Nicolas Maduroeven stated that “If they asked my will, I am in favor” to the inclusion of Venezuela.
However, the brake on Venezuelan intentions reflects a new chapter in the diplomatic distance between Brasília and Caracas, intensified by suspicions of fraud in Venezuela’s presidential elections in July.
Maduro was re-elected for a third term in an election marked by allegations of persecution of opponents. The main opposition candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, requested asylum in Spain to avoid arrest in Venezuela.
Venezuelan electoral authorities have refused to release detailed voting minutes, strengthening accusations of fraud. Publicly, Lula has already demanded the disclosure of these documents and criticized the dismantling of democratic institutions in the country.
