Lula’s meeting with Maduro becomes an obstacle to the government in Congress

In addition to the negative repercussions, the alignment of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) with the dictator of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, became a new obstacle for the Planalto Palace within the National Congress. The wear and tear occurs precisely in the week in which the government tries to avoid new defeats in the vote on the provisional measure that deals with the restructuring of the Esplanada dos Ministérios.

Privately, members of the governing base admitted that Lula’s “pompous and warm” reception to the Venezuelan dictator on the eve of important votes for the Planalto could increase resistance among parliamentarians.

This Tuesday (30), for example, the plenary of the Chamber intends to vote on the MP from Esplanada Ministries and confirm the emptying of ministries, such as the Environment and Indigenous Peoples. The proposal will still need to go through the Senate until June 1, next Thursday, in order not to lose its validity.

The text of the rapporteur, Isnaldo Bulhões (MDB-AL), has already been approved by the joint commission that analyzes the MP, but members of the political articulation were still negotiating with leaders possible changes in the proposal. “We will exhaust all efforts. This is the president’s orientation. Until the last moment of the vote”, indicated the leader of the government in Congress, Randolfe Rodrigues (without party-AP)

Government supporters admit failure in Lula’s strategy with Maduro

The mayor, Arthur Lira (PP-AL), even had lunch this Monday (29) with the minister of the Institutional Relations Secretariat, Alexandre Padilha, to discuss key guidelines for the Lula government. The leader of the government in the Chamber, Deputy José Guimarães (PT-CE), was also present.

For the government supporters, Lula made a mistake in the strategy and in the tone adopted during the reception given to Maduro at the Planalto Palace. Also according to these allies, it would be easier to mitigate the resistance of the National Congress if the PT had only addressed issues such as Venezuela’s debt to Brazil and the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

During his speech, however, Lula relativized Maduro’s dictatorial regime and defended that the neighboring country is “victim of a narrative of anti-democracy and authoritarianism”. “If I want to win a battle, I need to build a narrative to destroy my potential enemy. You know the narrative that was built against Venezuela, of anti-democracy and authoritarianism”, said Lula addressing Maduro.

Opposition widened criticism against Lula after meeting with Maduro

In addition to Planalto organizers, Lula’s meeting with Maduro had strong repercussions among opposition parliamentarians. Deputy Sílvia Waiãpi (PL-AP), for example, presented a motion to repudiate Lula for receiving the Venezuelan leader. She cited a complaint involving Venezuela’s alleged connection with the trafficking of tons of narcotics to the United States.

According to the indictment, released in March 2020 by the US Department of Justice, since 1999 Maduro would be part of the Los Soles (The Suns) cartel, whose work together with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) intended to “’inundate ‘ the United States with cocaine”.

Such as People’s Gazette showed, Maduro and his companions are accused of the crimes of narcoterrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, possession and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices, as well as money laundering. The minimum sentence for these crimes ranges from 10 to 30 years, with the maximum sentence being life imprisonment.

Following Waiãpi’s request, federal deputies Zé Trovão (PL-SC), Bia Kicis (PL-DF) and Gustavo Gayer (PL-GO) submitted a request for the US Embassy to arrest Maduro in Brazil . The US representation, however, did not comment on the requests.

Senator Sergio Moro (União-PR) stated that the meeting represents “another negative sign” from the Brazilian government to the international community. “Brazil once again welcomed South American dictators with state honors, this time Maduro. Another negative sign for the international community by the Lula government. Will the dictator be charged with restoring democracy and human rights in Venezuela?”, wrote Moro.

Dictator’s visit wears down Lula with the US

After having accused the United States and the European Union of encouraging the war in Ukraine, the PT’s diplomatic relationship with the US government gained a new episode of wear and tear due to Maduro’s visit to Brazil. During the meeting with the dictator, Lula criticized the dollar and classified the sanctions imposed by the US on Venezuela as “exorbitant”.

“It’s his fault [de Maduro pela falta de dólares]? No. It’s the fault of the USA, which carried out an extremely exaggerated blockade”, minimized Lula.

Among the measures imposed by the United States is the blockade of oil purchases by US companies. The White House cites among the reasons for the blockades, for example, the assessment that commercial transactions are linked to criminal activities and human rights violations. Last year, Joe Biden’s government announced the easing of part of the restrictions.

Several international entities criticize the situation of human rights in Venezuela. In 2021, the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened an investigation into possible crimes against humanity committed in the country. In 2020, the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission said it found sufficient grounds to point out that this type of crime was committed against opponents as part of a State policy.

“Serious human rights violations are not a “narrative”. The pain of the victims is not a “narrative”. The opening of an investigation into Venezuela by the ICC is not a narrative. Venezuela wants to return to democracy. This is achieved by building with truth and justice,” wrote Carolina Jiménez Sandoval, president of the Washington office for Latin America (Wola), an NGO based in the United States, about Lula’s speeches alongside Maduro.