Venezuela allows air force plane to land with Brazilian senators

Brazil's Defense Minister Jaques Wagner went personally to the Senate on Tuesday evening (June 16) to let Senate President Renan Calheiros know that a Brazilian Air Force (FAB) airplane carrying Brazilian senators has been authorized to land in Venezuela. The senators are in an external committee set up to verify reports of political persecution of Nicolás Maduro's government opponents, and had complained that Venezuela's government had not authorized the landing.

Earlier, minister Wagner had said that Venezuela did not forbid the landing, they just had not yet answered the request from Brazilian authorities. Military attachés and the Brazilian embassy were asked to contact Venezuelan authorities to settle the issue.

According to the minister, Brazilian senators were also guaranteed free transit in the country. They can visit the families of Venezuelan politicians who have been arrested and talk to opposition members at liberty, but will not have access to the prisoners.

“I understand it will be like with other country authorities who've been there – visiting families, talking to the opposition, but no contact with anyone in the government nor access to the prison or prisoners,” the minister said.

The minister described the authorization from Venezuela as “off the record”, but said an official notice is expected Wednesday (17). The air force plane will be ready to take the Brazilian senators to Venezuela on Thursday (June 18).

Translated by Mayra Borges

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