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Venezuela recalls ambassador in wake of Brazil leader's impeachment suspension

Xinhua, May 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro recalled his ambassador to Brazil for consultation over impeachment proceedings faced by Brazil's suspended president Dilma Rousseff, caracas-based Latin American television media Telesur reported Saturday.

During a cabinet meeting Friday, Maduro said he met with Ambassador Alberto Castellar to assess the fast-moving political drama unfolding in Brazil.

"I asked our ambassador in Brazil, Alberto Castellar, to come to Caracas. We were assessing this painful chapter in history," Maduro said.

In an attempt to raise awareness about Brazil's political crisis, Maduro also posted a message to Twitter on Friday, describing the impeachment process as a "parliamentary coup," and saying "Everything that is against Brazil is against our Americas."

Maduro warned that the right-wing current that has swept Rousseff out of office also aims to dismantle regional blocs such as the Union of South American Nations (Unasur).

"There is a larger objective to disintegrate the accomplishments in our Americas ... they want to destroy Unasur," said Maduro, calling on regional governments to condemn the impeachment process.

On Thursday, Brazil's Senate voted to bring impeachment proceedings against Rousseff, suspending her from office for up to 180 days, and making her vice president, Michel Temer, interim president. If Rousseff is found guilty, Temer will see through the remainder of her term.

While the legislative process against Rousseff appears to abide by the letter of the law, political observers are concerned the trial is politically motivated, with the ruling Workers' Party (PT) and its left-leaning allies being pushed out by a coalition of conservative opposition parties.

Part of the reason Brazil has come under fire from conservative camps has been its promotion of independence and unity through such multilateral mechanisms as the BRICS bloc of emerging economies Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, said Maduro, adding "this is a blow against the BRICS."

On Thursday, Unasur and regional countries expressed their concern regarding the events in Brazil.

Rousseff is charged with "criminal responsibility" in her administration's alleged cover up of public deficits in 2014 and 2015, in an attempt to get reelected. Endit