Brazil struggles to bring home citizens from Venezuela

Photo: PRVZ via Fotos Publicas

Brazilians stuck in Venezuela face uncertain times after an Air Force cargo jet scheduled to bring citizens home this Friday was blocked from landing by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Initially planned to transport diplomats and military staff, private citizens were also offered the opportunity to return to Brazil. It is estimated that there are around 40 Brazilians in the country, including residents and tourists.

The diplomatic relationship between Brazil and Venezuela has soured since 2017 — with tensions rising further after President Jair Bolsonaro took power, in 2019. Brazil — along with over 50 other countries — does not recognize Mr. Maduro’s government and has used official channels such as the Foreign Affairs Ministry to denounce Mr. Maduro’s regime. In February, the two countries officially cut ties after Mr. Bolsonaro expelled all Venezuelan diplomatic personnel from Brasilia. Since then, Brazil has been planning on repatriating its almost 50-strong consular staff based in the neighboring country.

Today, reporter Lucas Berti showed that the Covid-19 outbreak has sparked a wave of reverse migration in Latin America — with citizens striving to return to the countries they originally fled.