Maduro invited to BRICS summit in Russia by Putin

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
2 Aug 2024 21:30
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Venezuela and Russia have enjoyed a strong relationship since the early 2000s, bolstered during Hugo Chavez's presidency and continuing under Nicolas Maduro.

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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro waves after speaking to the press at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (AP)

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil announced on Friday that President Nicolas Maduro has been invited to the upcoming BRICS summit, scheduled to be held in Kazan, Russia, this October.

"[Russian] President Vladimir Putin invites President Maduro to attend the leaders' summit of the BRICS+ countries," the minister said on X and posted the letter sent by Putin to Maduro.

Presidente Vladimir Putin invita, en su calidad del Presidente en ejercicio de BRICS, al Presidente @NicolasMaduro a la reunión BRICS Outreach/BRICS Plus de los lideres de los estados miembros de la unión. pic.twitter.com/JPPvlsH9rT
— Yvan Gil (@yvangil) August 2, 2024

Venezuela and Russia have enjoyed a strong relationship since the early 2000s, bolstered during Hugo Chavez's presidency and continuing under Nicolas Maduro.

The partnership has been marked by extensive cooperation in various sectors, including energy, where Russian companies like Rosneft have made substantial investments in Venezuela's oil industry.

The two countries have also collaborated on military and defense matters, with Russia supplying Venezuela with military equipment and technology.

They also share a history of opposition to US policies and influence. Russia has historically supported Venezuela politically and economically by providing aid and investment as a means to challenge US policies and sanctions imposed on Venezuela.

Last Sunday, Maduro was declared the winner of Venezuela's presidential election by the electoral authority. The announcement sparked nationwide riots and violence, driven by opposition claims of electoral fraud and widespread skepticism over the results.

This plays out as a déjà vu of what the US did during the last elections in Venezuela.

Venezuela was thrown into a political crisis in January 2019 when Juan Guaido, the former head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, backed by the US, declared himself interim president in an attempt to depose Maduro.

The US still acknowledged Guaido's government and called Maduro "illegitimate".

But Maduro announced on Wednesday that his United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) was prepared to provide 100% of its vote records after Sunday's presidential election.