Brazil's right-wing recalls diplomats, officials from Venezuela

In a move to further downgrade relations with Venezuela, Brazil’s far-right government of President Jair Bolsonaro has begun pulling out all its diplomats from Caracas, while calling on President Nicolas Maduro to recall his country’s representatives from Brasilia.

According to instructions published on Thursday, Bolsonaro removed five diplomats and 11 members of consular staff in Caracas, including Consul General Elza de Castro and two minister counselors at the embassy.

"No-one will remain in all of Venezuela," said a government source.

Citing the foreign ministry, the Official Journal said that staff would be withdrawn from the embassy and the consulate in Caracas, the consulate in Ciudad Guayana and the vice consulate in Santa Elena de Uairen, on the Brazilian border.

According to Brazilian media, the recall will be done within two months. The measure, however, does not mean the embassy will be closed, but an estimated 10,000 Brazilians who are currently living in Venezuela could be affected.

"The Brazilian government is considering how assistance will be provided," the source said.

Brazil's government, a US ally, has announced the decision just days before Bosonaro leaves the country for an official visit to the United States.

The far-right president, who has been nicknamed the "Trump of the Tropics" and is known as an admirer of his American counterpart, followed Washington in recognizing Venezuela’s opposition figure Juan Guaido as the country’s leader last year.

Venezuela’s embassy in Brasilia has not had an ambassador since 2016, when the last Maduro-appointed ambassador was withdrawn from the country. The embassy is controlled by Maduro representatives.

SS