In a U-turn, Bolsonaro government lifts Maduro ban

Brazil’s Foreign Affairs and Justice Ministries on Thursday revoked a 2019 ordinance barring top officials of the Venezuelan government, including President Nicolás Maduro, from entering the country. 

The 2019 document, signed by former Justice Minister Sergio Moro (now a senator-elect), says the Venezuelan regime “goes against the principles of the Brazilian Constitution, attacking democracy, human dignity, and human rights.” Venezuela has been a bogeyman for the Latin American hard right — and used by Mr. Bolsonaro for fearmongering about the left.

In recent weeks, Vice President-elect Geraldo Alckmin had tried to negotiate with Mr. Bolsonaro and find a solution to the quagmire so that Mr. Maduro could attend Lula’s Sunday inauguration. But the president had ruled out extending any type of olive branch to the incoming administration. The U-turn silently came in today’s official gazette.

The stalemate led to rumors that Lula would give up on inviting Mr. Maduro to Sunday’s event, despite intending to invite all countries that have diplomatic ties with Brazil. 

Alongside a list of countries that includes the U.S. and some Latin American neighbors, Brazil under Bolsonaro doesn’t recognize Nicolás Maduro as a rightful leader. Instead, since 2019, Brasilia officially considers the opposition’s self-declared interim president Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s head of state. 

Lula and the Workers’ Party have faced heavy criticism for failing to denounce authoritarian leftist governments in Latin America. Last year, the party called the Nicaraguan election a “great display of democracy” despite President Daniel Ortega jailing most of the opposition. 

Young rising leaders to the left, such as Chilean President Gabriel Boric, have called out that controversy.

The case of Venezuela, specifically, has become more complex in recent months, as Caracas has actively sought to normalize relations with the West. The Maduro regime tries to iron out issues with Europe and the U.S., a longtime foe.

The Brazilian Foreign Affairs Ministry has not responded to a request for comment.

• Read more: Juan Guaidó’s alternative Venezuelan presidency close to an end

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