Brazil and Colombia’s Missed Opportunity: Ignoring Venezuela at the U.N.

During the U.N. General Assembly, Brazilian and Colombian leaders, Lula and Petro, criticized Israel while overlooking the Venezuelan humanitarian crisis. They neglected the significant displacement of Venezuelans due to Maduro’s oppressive regime, raising concerns over their priorities compared to leaders like Biden, who correctly highlighted the Venezuelan plight. Their speeches suggested solutions for foreign conflicts, but ignored pressing issues at home, prompting calls for a renewed focus on restoring democracy in Venezuela.

During the inaugural day of the United Nations General Assembly, leaders from Brazil and Colombia delivered speeches that have been criticized as lacking substance and failing to address crucial issues. Both President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva of Brazil and President Gustavo Petro of Colombia condemned Israel for its actions in Gaza and Lebanon while ignoring the ongoing and significant humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. Despite trending discussions surrounding elections that were heavily marred by fraud and the violent repression of protesters by the Maduro regime, neither leader mentioned the plight of the millions of Venezuelan refugees. In fact, since Maduro ascended to power in 2013, over 8 million Venezuelans, representing more than 20% of the population, have fled the country, a detail glaringly missing from their remarks. Moreover, Lula’s and Petro’s proposals regarding international conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East raised eyebrows, as they suggested solutions that some critics perceive as misinformed regarding their influence on these global issues. Lula, in particular, drew attention for his joint plan with China to negotiate peace between Russia and Ukraine, which has faced condemnation from various parties, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Lula’s focus on denouncing Israel and expressing concern for populations affected by conflict in regions far from Latin America diverted attention away from the immediate humanitarian crisis in their own region. Similarly, Petro’s speech heavily criticized Israel while failing to appropriately acknowledge the historical context of the Israel-Hamas conflict, including the initial aggressions instigated by Hamas against Israel. Notably, the United States President Joe Biden, alongside leaders from Argentina and Guatemala, did take the opportunity to mention Venezuela. Biden emphasized the universal desire for freedom in Venezuela, highlighting the fraudulent elections held by Maduro on July 28. Furthermore, leaders from Argentina and Guatemala condemned the U.N.’s permissiveness toward the Venezuelan regime, demonstrating a stark contrast to the silence from Lula and Petro on this pressing matter. It is ironical that Brazil and Colombia, the two nations most deeply affected by the Venezuelan migration crisis with millions seeking refuge within their borders, did not prioritize the discussion concerning Venezuela during this critical global forum. Instead of addressing far-reaching conflicts, Lula and Petro ought to have focused their efforts on advocating for assistance and the restoration of democracy in Venezuela—Latin America’s most severe humanitarian disaster, which directly impacts their countries more significantly than distant conflicts.

The current situation in Venezuela has escalated to one of the most severe humanitarian disasters in Latin America, with millions fleeing due to economic devastation, political repression, and a lack of basic needs. Nicolás Maduro’s government has been accused of electoral fraud and has violently suppressed dissent, leading to a mass exodus of Venezuelans seeking refuge in neighboring countries like Colombia and Brazil. The United Nations estimates that more than 8 million Venezuelans have left the country since 2013, severely affecting the social and political landscapes of adjacent nations. Amidst this backdrop, the global community convenes at the U.N. General Assembly to discuss pressing issues, yet the leaders of Brazil and Colombia chose to prioritize distant conflicts over addressing the crisis at their doorstep.

The speeches delivered by Presidents Lula and Petro during the U.N. General Assembly fail to address the urgent humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, despite the profound impact of this situation on their respective countries. Their focus on other international conflicts detracts from the responsibility they hold to advocate for the millions suffering due to the ongoing political turmoil in Venezuela. As major players in the region, Brazil and Colombia should prioritize cooperative efforts to restore democracy and provide assistance to Venezuelans, bringing attention back to one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time.

Original Source: www.miamiherald.com