Brazil takes custody of Argentinian Embassy in Venezuela: Ministry

By Jorge Antonio Rocha

MEXICO CITY (AA) - The Brazilian government will protect the Argentine Embassy in Venezuela after Caracas ordered the removal of diplomats from the facility, the Argentine Foreign Ministry announced Thursday.

Brazil will safeguard the premises of the Argentine mission in Caracas, including the embassy and the official residence, its assets and archives, and the protection of its interests and that of Argentine nationals.

Argentinian Foreign Minister Diana Mondino posted a picture on social media of the Brazilian flag raised inside the embassy.

Brazil will also take custody of the six asylum seekers from the Venezuelan opposition who have been under protection in the Argentine Residence in Caracas since March 20.

Venezuelan members of the opposition bloc, led by Marina Corina Machado, are prohibited from leaving Argentina and will be guarded by Brazilian authorities.

The Foreign Ministry said the Argentine government approached Brazil to ask for support at the time of the departures of the six asylum seekers from Venezuela, following an order by the government led by Nicolas Maduro that instructed diplomats from seven countries to leave the country.

The results of a general election on July 28 where Maduro was reelected were strongly contested and accused of being fraudulent.

Several Latin American countries expressed concern and rejected the results.

Venezuela in response announced the expulsion of diplomats from Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Panama, whom it accused of being "fascists" and subordinate to US interests.

Although the relationship between Argentine President Javier Milei and Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva has had friction after Milei insulted and accused the Brazilian leader of corruption, Milei expressed gratitude to the Brazilian government for its support in Venezuela.

"I greatly appreciate Brazil's willingness to take custody of the Argentine Embassy in Venezuela. We are also grateful for the momentary representation of the interests of the Argentine Republic and its citizens there," he wrote on X.

Milei has been one of Maduro's strongest critics, calling his reelection a fraud and urging the Venezuelan armed forces to intervene in the electoral process.

"I have no doubt that we will soon reopen our Embassy in a free and democratic Venezuela," wrote Milei.