President Lula has made a significant shift in his stance on Venezuela and Nicaragua joining BRICS, instructing the Brazilian delegation to block new members at the upcoming summit in Russia. This decision represents a departure from Lula’s previous support for Venezuela’s entry into the group.
The BRICS summit, scheduled from October 22 to 24, will determine criteria for partner countries who will not be full members but allowed to participate in internal discussions and meetings. The level of involvement for this new category will be decided at the summit.
The bloc, which includes authoritarian nations like China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Egypt, has raised global concerns due to their repressive governance and potential to undermine democratic values.
Lula’s change in position is attributed to recent diplomatic tensions, with Venezuela’s refusal to share election records and accusations from Venezuela’s Attorney General accusing Lula of being “co-opted” by the CIA.
Lula’s decision regarding Nicaragua followed a tit-for-tat expulsion of ambassadors, stemming from Brazil’s criticism of Nicaragua’s human rights record and persecution of clergy and political opponents.
The requirements for potential BRICS partners set by Brazil’s foreign ministry include support for UN reform and good diplomatic ties with current members. With BRICS countries representing 37% of the global economy and potential growth surpassing the G7, membership is increasingly appealing to other nations.
Lula’s opposition to Venezuela and Nicaragua joining BRICS serves to protect Brazil’s international reputation and respond to recent diplomatic incidents, rather than indicating a fundamental shift in his political ideology.