US-EU Economic Blockade of Venezuela Threatens Brazilian State’s Energy Supply
The Brazilian state of Roraima is facing a potential loss of electric supply as the economic blockade prevents them from paying a US$40 million debt to Venezuela, who supplies their electricity.
The Brazilian government has confirmed that the economic blockade imposed by the United States and the European Union against Venezuela is preventing them from paying a US$40 million debt it owes to the National Electric Corporation of Venezuela, threatening the continuity of the electricity supply in the northern Brazilian state of Roraima.
Brazil’s Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes said on Tuesday “The debt to the Caribbean nation hasn’t been paid because of the economic and financial blockade by the U.S. and the E.U. against Venezuela.”
On Thursday, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza tweeted an AFP news item where Brazil confirmed it is negotiating with Caracas to avoid electricity cuts, saying “Here is more irrefutable proof of the perverse effect the blockade against Venezuela has: Brazil’s foreign minister recognizes that due to U.S.-E.U. sanctions they haven’t found a way to pay energy services to #CORPOELEC. Over US$ 40 million in debt.”
Aquí otra irrefutable demostración del efecto perverso del BLOQUEO contra Venezuela: El propio CANCILLER DE BRASIL reconoce que debido a las SANCIONES de EEUU y la UE, no han hallado la vía para pagar los servicios de energia a #CORPOELEC. MAS DE 40 MILLONES DE DÓLARES en deuda pic.twitter.com/XEICuNFeQm
— Jorge Arreaza M (@jaarreaza) August 30, 2018
The bordering state of Roraima receives its energy supply through a transmission line commissioned in 2001 by former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his counterpart Fernando Henrique Cardoso.
Nunes said Brazil wants to cancel the debt, but they haven’t found payment mechanisms that don’t clash with the restriction imposed by the U.S. and the E.U.
On June 4, Caracas warned Brazil that if they couldn’t pay within 90 days, the state company could end the supply arrangement.