Cars carrying 'humanitarian aid' return to Pacaraima.

247, with Agência Brasil - The Presidency of the Republic released an official statement on Sunday night (24) informing that the trucks with humanitarian aid destined for Venezuela returned to the Pacaraima region (RR), on the Brazilian side of the border, without the supplies, which include non-perishable food and medicines, being delivered.

"Due to the impossibility of proceeding through Venezuelan territory as planned, the vehicles withdrew to the Pacaraima region (RR), and are currently safe and parked at the Special Border Platoon deployed there," informed the Special Secretariat for Social Communication of the Presidency of the Republic (Secom/PR).

According to the statement, "new relocations will be planned as transportation becomes available and the diplomatic and security situation becomes clearer." 

The federal government says the situation is normal along the border. The statement emphasizes that the Ministry of Defense has expanded the capabilities of Operation Welcome, which has been active for over a year, by increasing the number of healthcare personnel and expanding the medical evacuation system.

In a speech to supporters in Caracas, this Saturday (23), the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, again rejected intervention in his country and stated that his government is willing "to buy all the rice, all the sugar, all the powdered milk" that Brazil wants to sell.

"We are not bad payers, nor are we beggars, we are honorable and hardworking people. What do they want? To bring truckloads of powdered milk? I'll buy it now," he said.

Check out the full note:

Press Release

Humanitarian Aid Operation to Venezuela

Regarding the humanitarian aid operation launched by the Brazilian Government in support of the people of Venezuela, the Presidency of the Republic informs:

- The situation in the neighboring country is being closely monitored, and all resources of the Federal Government are being mobilized.

- Due to the impossibility of proceeding through Venezuelan territory as planned, the vehicles withdrew to the Pacaraima-RR region, and are currently safe and parked at the Special Border Platoon deployed there.

- New relocations will be planned as transportation options become available and the diplomatic and security situation becomes clearer.

- The success of the logistical mobilization is highlighted, with the involvement of various bodies of the Federal Government and the Government of Roraima.

- The Ministry of Defense has expanded the capabilities of Operation Welcome, which has been active for over a year, by increasing the size of the health team and expanding the medical evacuation system.

- The Vice President of the Republic, Hamilton Mourão, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ernesto Araújo, traveled to Colombia to participate in the Lima Group meeting that will take place tomorrow in that city.

- At the moment, the situation is normal in the border area.

- The Brazilian government maintains its firm commitment to helping alleviate the vulnerable conditions faced by our Venezuelan brothers and sisters.

Special Secretariat for Social Communication of the Presidency of the Republic – Secom/PR