Brazilian Foreign Minister Suggests Postponing Transfer of Mercosur Presidency to Venezuela

07/06/2016 - 09h11

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, replied harshly on Tuesday (5) to the repeated criticism about her country's government made by Brazilian counterpart José Serra.

The escalation happened on the same day that Serra proposed to postpone the transfer of the rotating presidency of Mercosur to Venezuela, scheduled for next Tuesday (12).

"The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela rejects the insolent and amoral statements made by the interim Chancellor of Brazil," wrote Rodriguez on Twitter, amid the celebrations of the 205th anniversary of Venezuela's independence.

Rodriguez said again that the suspension of President Dilma Rousseff is a "coup d'état" contrary to "the will of millions of citizens who voted [for her]."

The statements are the toughest made by Caracas so far against the government of interim President Michel Temer, who took office in May promising to reconfigure the Foreign Ministry's performance and appointed Serra to perform this mission.

In a clear effort to distance himself from the Workers' Party administration, Serra has been multiplying attacks on Venezuela. He accused Maduro of violating democratic principles, holding political prisoners and being responsible for the widespread shortage of food and medicine in the country.

Serra has also publicly supported the opposition's plan to call a referendum as soon as possible to try to revoke Maduro's mandate.

On Tuesday, in Montevideo, Serra suggested that Venezuela can only assume the rotating presidency of Mercosur "for the next six months as previously agreed schedule" if the country meets membership obligations.

Translated by MARINA DELLA VALLE

Read the article in the original language

	(Xinhua/Li Muzi)
	Delcy Rodríguez, minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela