Venezuela draws int'l concern
Dec. 8, 2023
Venezuela’s threats against Guyana’s territorial integrity have drawn international concern, though most analysts are convinced the Maduro government’s rhetoric has more to do with domestic politics than a land grab plan.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has offered to mediate in the conflict. Yesterday he expressed "growing concern" about the situation. "If there's one thing we don't want here in South America it's war," Lula said. "We don't need conflict. We need to build peace.” Brazil has ramped up its military presence in the area. (Deutsche Welle)
The conflict is considered highly sensitive by Brazil’s diplomacy and presents Lula with an uncomfortable situation, reports Bloomberg.
Speaking at a Mercosur summit yesterday, Lula suggested St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves discuss the issue with the leaders of both the countries involved in the dispute, according to the Brazil Report.
The U.N. Security Council scheduled a closed-door meeting on the matter for today, reports the Washington Post.
The U.S. and Britain have expressed support for Guyana in the face of increasing threats from Venezuela to its territory, reports Reuters. The United States announced joint military flight drills in Guyana, yesterday, which Venezuela labeled as a "provocation."
"Latin America should be a region of peace," the regional bloc Mercosur — comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay — said in a joint statement with neighboring Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The statement warned against "unilateral actions" as they "create additional tension."
Guyanese President Irfaan Ali said Guyana has reached out to leaders abroad, including in the U.S., India and Cuba, hoping that "they can encourage Venezuela to do what is right, and ensure that they do not act in a reckless or adventurous manner that could disrupt the peace within this zone." (CBS)
No deal Mercosur-EU deal yet
Mercosur leaders gathered for their annual summit yesterday, in Rio de Janeiro. But the encounter was overshadowed by the failure to reach a long-delayed free trade deal with the European Union and Venezuela’s Essequibo saber-rattling.
Lula blamed the European Union’s protectionist stance for the agreement’s failure thus far: "I spoke to almost all the presidents of the European Union. ... I urged (French President Emmanuel) Macron to stop being so protectionist ... But in any case, it didn't work," Lula said in a speech. "The resistance from Europe is really strong." (Reuters)
Paraguayan President Santiago Pena, which takes over the Mercosur presidency from Brazil this week, also blames the EU for the failure of the negotiations, saying the bloc is not interested in an agreement, reports Deutsche Welle.
This week’s summit was intended as a deadline for the trade deal, which has been in the works for 20 years. A joint statement of Mercosur and the EU said that both sides “are engaged in constructive discussions with a view to finalizing the pending issues” towards an agreement. The wording suggested that a deal wasn’t imminent, reports the Associated Press.
“Many environmental groups and human rights organizations are actually relieved that the free trade agreement has been postponed. Dozens of civil society organizations have called for an alternative agreement to be negotiated,” reports Deutsche Welle.
Regional Relations
The U.S. and Mexico will begin working more closely to screen foreign investments coming into both countries, focused on potential national security threats, reports the New York Times.
Peru
“Peru remains mired in the problems that one year ago sparked three months of chaos. While a tense calm has prevailed since April, the primary triggers for unrest remain in place—and, in some cases, have worsened in recent months,” reports Americas Quartly.
Critter Corner
“Two small, oval fossils thought to be prehistoric plants are actually the remains of baby marine turtles … in a nod to the early misidentification the team have nicknamed them “Turtwig”, after a Pokémon character that is half-turtle and half-plant,” reports the Guardian.