Bolsonaro Advised to Avoid Talking about Bolivia at Brics Summit

President must dodge the issue so as not to annoy Russia and China

Brasília

While sympathetic to Evo Morales' resignation in Bolivia, President Jair Bolsonaro (PSL) has been advised by aides and diplomats to avoid addressing the succession crisis in the neighboring country in talks at the Brics summit.

On Wednesday (13) and Thursday (14), the president will receive in Brasilia the heads of government of Russia, India, China, and South Africa, at the 11th summit of the bloc.

The assessment is that defending the power transition in Bolivia at the meeting could open a flank of attrition with Russia and China.

People demonstrate in support of Bolivian ex-President Evo Morales, holding a banner that reads 'It's not a resignation, It's a coup', in front of the Bolivian embassy in Mexico City, on November 11, 2019. - Mexico said Monday it has granted asylum to Bolivia's Evo Morales, after the leftist president's departure left the South American nation reeling amid a power vacuum. (Photo by CLAUDIO CRUZ / AFP) - AFP

Allies of Evo, the Russians used harsh terms to refer to his departure from the presidency and said the facts "resemble an instrumented coup.”

Moscow's position differs from that of the Brazilian government. In a message published on social networks, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ernesto Araújo stated that Evo starred in a "massive electoral fraud" that "delegitimized" him as ruler.

"There is no coup in Bolivia," wrote the Brazilian foreign minister. Also close to Evo, the Chinese used more moderate rhetoric to address the crisis in Bolivia.

The Asian Foreign Ministry said it hoped "the relevant parties would peacefully resolve the dispute within the limits of the constitution and law, to restore social stability as soon as possible."

Translated by Kiratiana Freelon

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