Brazilian senator Tasso Jereissati (pictured at right), from the Social Democratic Party (PSDB) and member of the Foreign Relations Committee of the lower house, has the following to say:
"Despite the argument that rulers are transient and states are permanent, in Venezuela there is a process of dismantling democratic freedoms, designed to perpetuate President Chávez's hold on power."
The "revolution" led by Chavez leads toward the "militarization of the country and promotes a project of political-ideological expansionism and constant intervention in the affairs of other countries."
"Political changes promoted by the Venezuelan government favor official candidates" and opponents who are elected to public office "are practically prevented from governing."
Chávez "governs in an almost dictatorial manner" and with "a Congress entirely subject to his interests," which is contrary to the "democratic spirit" that prevails in the Mercosur.
And the Paraguayan response:
"I think it's a mature attitude, an expected reaction, a logical consequence of the Brazilian Congress in the face of President Chávez's attitude not only to the arms race, but his intention to impose on the region an ideological model based on XXI century socialism," said Carlos Soler of the Patria Querida party.
The lawmaker said the stance taken by the Brazilian congress "is not just a political signal, but a warning to the Venezuelan government that there are countries unwilling to submit to this system and that it will be very difficult."
"President Lugo has withdrawn the request for acceptance of Venezuela, and I think it's an issue that will lend some time because I do not think there are political conditions that require this to be treated in Congress anytime soon," he predicted.
Soler stressed that the attitude of the rejection "is not against the people of Venezuela but against President Chávez, who from his base of dictatorship intends to bend an entire nation to his whims."
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