Brazil to open storage center to help Venezuelans

Brazil will open up a storage center for humanitarian help for Venezuela based in the state of Roraima, said Maria Tereza Belandria, Venezuela’s ambassador to Brazil designated by interim President Juan Guaidó. The announcement was made after her Wednesday (Feb. 13) visit to Brazil’s Defense Minister Fernando Azevedo.

The Defense Minister said the Brazilian Armed Forces have been involved in the provision of humanitarian assistance to Venezuela: “Operação Acolhida [Operation Shelter] keeps the order on the frontier, provides shelter, and relocates Venezuelan immigrants across the country. Today, Roraima has 13 shelters, 11 of which in [state capital] Boa Vista, two in the municipality of Pacaraima,” the minister said.

Maria Tereza met on Monday (11) with Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araújo, and was officially welcomed as Venezuela’s new ambassador to Brazil. She was appointed by opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim President Juan Guaidó on February 5. The Brazilian government recognized Guaidó as the president of Venezuelan on January 23.