Unidentified People Attempt to Take Over Venezuelan Embassy in Brazil
Unidentified People Attempt to Take Over Venezuelan Embassy in Brazil
Various local media and politicians on Twitter have reported that an unidentified group of people tried to invade Venezuela’s embassy in Brazil's capital on Wednesday just hours before the start of the BRICS summit.

Unidentified People Attempt to Take Over Venezuelan Embassy in Brazil: Reports

According To Iran News, Various local media and politicians on Twitter have reported that an unidentified group of people tried to invade Venezuela’s embassy in Brazil’s capital on Wednesday just hours before the start of the BRICS summit.

Venezuelan and Brazilian authorities have not commented on the news yet.

Brazilian daily newspaper Estadao has reported, citing representatives of Juan Guaido, Venezuela’s self-proclaimed interim president that the embassy’s personnel opened the doors to the people, loyal to the self-proclaimed president, voluntarily and reportedly recognized Guaido as the legitimate president.

However, several media outlets reported Venezuelan chargé d’affaires in Brazil, Freddy Meregote, as accusing the intruders of violating Venezuelan territory and calling on social movements and parties to help repel the invasion. Brazilian lawmaker Paulo Pimenta noted “a pretty violent dispute” taking place on the embassy’s premises between the staff and Guaido’s supporters.

“The embassy has been besieged by a group of Brazilians and Venezuelans since early morning, there are signs that the police of the Federal District or the Foreign Ministry have supported or protected the actions of the rebels and intended to take the place by force,” Pimenta said, Sputnik reported.

The unverified Twitter account believed to belong to Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister Yvan Gil has also reported the invasion attempt, calling on Brazilian authorities to respect their international agreements and protect the embassy.​ Jandira Feghali, a member of the Communist Party of Brazil, reported the incident as well, calling it an “attack on sovereignty and democracy”.

Previously, American authorities forced Venezuelan diplomats to leave their embassy in the US and handed over its facilities to representatives of Juan Guaido, the Venezuelan opposition leader, who proclaimed himself interim president in January 2019.

Brazilian authorities have recognized Guaido’s claims to the presidency, along with many western countries including the US. At the same time, several states, such as Russia, China and Turkey, condemned such moves and expressed their support for democratically elected President Nicolas Maduro. The latter has called Guaido a US “puppet” and accused him of organizing an unsuccessful coup ‘d’état late in April 2019.