Maduro vows Venezuela won't be silenced after BRICS bid blocked

Venezuela's President Maduro defiant after Brazil veto, vows to join BRICS group of emerging economies.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro vowed on Saturday (October 26, 2024) that his country would not be silenced after Brazil vetoed its bid to join the BRICS group of emerging economies.

The South American country is in the throes of an unprecedented economic crisis, which the Government says is a result of US sanctions, and has long sought to join the BRICS group.

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Venezuela reacted furiously to Brazil's veto at a summit in the Russian city of Kazan earlier this week, calling the decision "hostile" and "immoral" act.

Returning home from Kazan, Mr. Maduro said on state television that "no one will block or silence Venezuela, not today, not tomorrow, not ever", without mentioning Brazil.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is a long-time ally of Mr. Maduro. But relations between them have been strained since Mr. Maduro's disputed re-election following the July 28 ballot, which the Opposition claims to have won.

An advisor to Mr. Lula, former Foreign Minister Celso Amorim, attributed the veto to a "breach of confidence" by Venezuela.