Brazil chancellor wants council to lead MERCOSUR in place of Venezuela

Brazil's Foreign Minister José Serra said Thursday (Aug. 4) he waits for a negotiated solution to break the deadlock  surrounding the presidency of MERCOSUR. Serra suggested ambassadors from member countries to convene an informal council and take over the helm of the trade group for the next six months, thus preventing Venezuela from occupying the pro tempore chair.

Ambassadors must be brought together so they can make up “an informal council to address the issues,” the minister said.

In Serra's view, the absence of a country in MERCOSUR's presidency poses no obstacle to the actions of the economic bloc. “There's a wide range of things that don't need a president to be advanced. If MERCOSUR implemented everything it has agreed on, there'd be work enough to do, but it won't come to a standstill,” he argued.

Representatives for Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay have gathered in Montevideo to discuss the future directions of the bloc's presidency. On July 29, Uruguay ended its administration without transferring its position to a successor. The chair rotates every six months in alphabetical order, which would mean Venezuela was to take over. Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, however, oppose the move, due to political situation facing Nicolás Maduro's nation.

José Serra reiterated his view of the matter: “Venezuela is in no condition to take the reins—on the one hand, it has failed to meet MERCOSUR's requirements, and second because MERCOSUR would be based in Caracas, which is just wishful thinking.”

After Uruguay left its post, Serra sent a letter to MERCOSUR chancellors disavowing Venezuela as head of the bloc.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira