Rousseff rules out sanctioning Venezuela

President Dilma Rousseff said Monday (Nov. 30) she is not going to use the so-called “democratic clause” to seek a ban on Venezuela from MERCOSUR, unlike what Argentina President-Elect Mauricio Macri has been advocating. According to her, this MERCOSUR provision could only be used in case there is a “material fact” based on more than hypothetical grounds.

“This is not a general, one-size-fits-all clause. It requires a material fact. This clause set the grounds for MERCOSUR's disapproval of the ouster of Paraguay President [Fernando] Lugo,” Rousseff said at a press conference following her appearance at the UN Climate Conference in Paris.

The “democratic clause” invoked by Mauricio Macri establishes trade sanctions against, up to and including a ban on, a country found to violate democratic order, but it can only be used if there is consensus within MERCOSUR.

Macri has told President Rousseff in a phone call that his first official visit will be to Brazil.

Translated by Mayra Borges