Brazil, Argentina clash with Venezuela over Mercosur membership

Latin America

The Presidents of Brazil and Argentina have expressed their concern over the deteriorating political and economic situation in Venezuela. Both governments have renewed their warning that they intend to withdraw the country’s active membership of the regional trading bloc Mercosur.

The Presidents of Brazil and Argentina have expressed their concern over the deteriorating political and economic situation in Venezuela. Both governments have renewed their warning that they intend to withdraw the country’s active membership of the regional trading bloc Mercosur.

Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro said his country is being threatened by a right-wing alliance.

CCTV America’s Stephen Gibbs has more.

Last month, the summit of the Non-Aligned Movement was hosted by Venezuela. Delegations from across the developing world attended.

In 2012, a summit of the Latin American regional grouping Mercosur has admitted Venezuela as a member.

Long overdue, said Chavez, who was died of cancer the following year.

Fast forward four years, and the political landscape of South America has changed dramatically.

Now the two key members of Mercosur, Brazil and Argentina, have center-right governments.

Mercosur, which includes Paraguay and Uruguay, has become highly critical of Venezuela, partly owing to the government’s treatment of its opposition, as well as its failure to implement agreements on trade.

The group has now blocked Venezuela from assuming the rotating presidency, and threatened to downgrade its membership.

In Caracas, the Venezuelan government has reacted defiantly. It has issued a statement arguing it still holds the temporary Presidency of Mercosur, and said threats from Argentina and Brazil risk destroying the union.

Mercosur is taking a hard line against Venezuela at a time when its economy has become far less important to the group. Sales from Brazil and Argentina to Venezuela have almost halved since 2012.

As relations with his neighbors to the south deteriorate, is the Venezuelan leader attempting to reach out to his long-time adversary to the north?


Sharina Henriquez discusses Venezuela’s impact on neighboring countries

To further discuss Venezuela’s impact on neighboring countries, CCTV America’s Michelle Makori spoke with Sharina Henriquez, News Editor of BonDia Aruba.