This archive report was first published on 14 November 2019.
On November 13, 2019, a tense standoff erupted at Venezuela's embassy in Brazil's capital, Brasília, as a group of Venezuelans seeking the ouster of President Nicolás Maduro attempted to take control of the diplomatic compound.
Representatives of Juan Guaidó, a Venezuelan politician who has proclaimed himself the rightful leader of Venezuela, entered the embassy saying they had been invited by some of the diplomats assigned there by the Maduro government.
However, the head of the mission, Freddy Meregote, denounced their entry as an invasion and a breach of diplomatic norms.
The confrontation drew a large police presence and led to screaming and shoving matches at the gate. Brazil's Foreign Ministry condemned the attempted takeover, calling for the 'immediate expulsion' of those who had sought to take control of the compound.
President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil said the government was 'taking the necessary measures to restore public order and avoid acts of violence.'
The standoff underscored the diplomatic conundrum facing many governments in the region since Mr. Guaidó's bid to take power. Brazil was among several countries that promptly recognized Mr. Guaidó as Venezuela's rightful leader, but has not expelled diplomats appointed by Mr. Maduro.
