Brazil evaluates agreement that pushes a solution on Essequibo until after the elections in Venezuela

Brazil is considering presenting an alternative at the negotiating table between Guyana and Venezuela that would postpone a definitive solution on the territory of Essequibo until after the elections in Venezuela.

According to Brazilian diplomatic sources, this solution would temporarily suspend tension in the region and prevent Nicolás Maduro from using the Essequibo issue as a justification for the election not to take place.

The reading is that, apart from Maduro’s commitment, any negotiations after the election tend to be peaceful, as it eliminates the Venezuelan internal political component from the table.

The model that has been discussed at Itamaraty dates back to 1970, when there was a common agreement not to talk about the subject again for a period of 12 years.

Such a long period is not acceptable now, but at least the issue should be postponed and, during this period, Venezuela should hold internal elections, a demand even from Brazil and the United States.

Brazilian diplomats with whom the CNN talks indicate that it is unlikely that an agreement will be reached at the meeting this Thursday (14), between the presidents of Guyana and Venezuela.

On Guyana’s side, this should not happen, because the country does not intend to make any concessions, since Essequibo is essential for the country’s economy — rather, due to its gold and diamond reserves; today, due to the oil discovered in 2015 on the high seas.

On the Venezuelan side, because Maduro was so tense with his statements that any retreat now would not interest him.

In this sense, the central idea of ​​Brazilian diplomacy is that the conversation is a first step towards a future agreement and that there is a calendar of negotiations based on new bilateral conversations from now on. The last time both discussed the matter was in 2018.