The Venezuelan government led by Nicolás Maduro has not been included in the list of potential invitees to the BRICS bloc, as reported by three Brazilian officials cited by Bloomberg on September 26, 2024. This development comes as BRICS plans to expand its membership following the recent addition of four new members earlier this year.
Maduro has sought an invitation to bolster the legitimacy of his regime on the global stage. However, Brazil has expressed discomfort over the prospect of inviting Venezuela, particularly after the controversial presidential elections in Venezuela in July, which have strained relations between Maduro and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a long-time ally.
Russian officials presented a preliminary list of countries for potential invitations during the UN General Assembly in New York, as Russia prepares to host the annual BRICS summit next month. A Russian official stated that no country could be officially invited until there is consensus among all current members.
Venezuela is among over 30 countries that have applied for membership in the new partner category of BRICS. Maduro views BRICS as a counterbalance to the United States and other Western nations that have imposed sanctions on Venezuela in recent years.
Despite Brazil's hesitance, there are concerns that Putin could still decide to invite Venezuela, which would create significant diplomatic challenges for Lula, who has refused to recognize Maduro's self-proclaimed victory and criticized his regime's crackdown on political opponents.
Brazil is set to assume the rotating presidency of BRICS from Russia, and the inclusion of Venezuela could intensify global pressure on Lula regarding his strategy towards Maduro as the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela deepens. Brazil has already vetoed an invitation to Nicaragua, amid diplomatic tensions with President Daniel Ortega, another traditional leftist ally.