A Venezuelan prosecutor has accused Brazilian President Lula da Silva of faking an injury to avoid attending the BRICS summit, where Brazil rejected Venezuela’s membership application. The situation has escalated following Brazil’s veto, with Venezuela labeling the act as hostile, while the Brazilian side cites a lack of confidence in Venezuelan electoral transparency as a reason for the denial.

A prominent official from Venezuela has publicly accused Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of fabricating an injury to avoid attending a recent BRICS summit, where Brazil voted against Venezuela’s membership bid. Attorney General Tarek William Saab stated on social media that “Direct sources close to Brazil inform me that President Lula da Silva staged a supposed accident to use it as an alibi to not attend the BRICS summit and that it was a deception to perpetrate the veto against Venezuela.” Venezuela had hoped to gain admission to the BRICS group during the summit in Kazan, Russia, where Brazil is a founding member along with Russia, India, China, and South Africa. A statement from a Brazilian official indicated that Lula canceled his travel to Kazan on medical advice after sustaining a head injury at home; however, just three days later, he was deemed fit to return to his duties. According to Saab, a video surfaced showing President Lula in seemingly good health, further fueling suspicions of a staged incident. In response to Brazil’s veto, Venezuelan authorities expressed their outrage, labeling it “hostile” and “immoral,” while focusing their criticism on the Brazilian Foreign Ministry rather than Lula himself. An advisor to Lula, former Foreign Minister Celso Amorim, suggested that the veto stemmed from a “breach of confidence” on the part of Venezuela, particularly its failure to release the results of the disputed election held earlier in July, which indicated that Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro may have faced defeat.

This accusation comes amid heightened tensions between Venezuela and Brazil following the latter’s veto of Venezuela’s entry into the BRICS organization. The BRICS group initially comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa but has recently sought to expand its membership. Venezuela anticipated support for its application due to historical ties and support from Brazil. However, the situation has been complicated by political dynamics within Venezuela, particularly following allegations of electoral misconduct against Maduro’s regime. The credibility of the electoral process remains a contentious issue, contributing to regional instability and impacting international relations.

The allegations made by Attorney General Tarek William Saab against President Lula da Silva illustrate the growing rift between Venezuela and Brazil, particularly in light of recent geopolitical developments and accusations related to electoral integrity. Lula’s purported injury and subsequent absence from a key summit, coupled with accusations of deception, have ignited further discord in an already fraught diplomatic relationship.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr

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