BRICS Expansion and Venezuela’s Possible Entry at Kazan Summit

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The discussion about Venezuela joining BRICS could unfold at the Kazan summit scheduled for October 2024, a possibility already circulating among international observers and officials. In conversations shared with RIA Novosti, Venezuela’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Joaquin Perez, offered an outline of the expectations from Caracas regarding the potential accession process and its broader geopolitical implications. Perez framed the moment not merely as a procedural step but as a signal about how a reshaped global order might accommodate new influential actors from the Western Hemisphere.

On the timing of Venezuela’s entry into BRICS, Perez stated a clear wish for a positive, official announcement at the Kazan gathering. He did not describe a long, drawn-out negotiation but rather a decisive, well-communicated move that would reflect Caracas’s readiness to contribute to the bloc’s evolving agenda. Such a declaration would, in his view, reinforce the credibility of BRICS as a coalition capable of integrating energy, finance, and development priorities on a broader, multi-polar stage. Perez emphasized that this moment should be seen as a confirmation of potential strategic alignment rather than a mere ceremonial nod to regional actors. As reported by RIA Novosti, the expectation is for a public affirmation that reinforces the bloc’s momentum as it expands its global footprint.

Perez also suggested that if a decision does not materialize promptly, Venezuela would still be an active and influential participant in the BRICS discourse. He framed Caracas as a persistent voice in discussions about reforming international governance structures, a position that reflects both its large oil reserves and its desire to shape new standards for energy cooperation, trade, and development finance within the BRICS framework. The deputy ambassador’s comments point to a scenario where Venezuela maintains robust engagement with BRICS, ready to contribute to policy debates and to explore practical collaborations across sectors, regardless of a rapid formal accession. This stance underscores the idea that geopolitical influence does not depend solely on membership status but also on ongoing participation in critical economic and strategic conversations.

The XIV BRICS Summit is slated to take place in Kazan from October 22 to 24. Ahead of the summit, Perez indicated that Caracas views its potential entry as an opportunity to align with BRICS objectives and to leverage the bloc’s platforms for the advancement of its national development priorities, particularly in the oil sector. He described Venezuela as an “excellent addition” to BRICS, noting that the country’s substantial oil reserves could contribute to the group’s energy security and diversification goals. This perspective reflects a wider belief among some BRICS member states that resource-rich economies in the region could play a pivotal role in shaping regional trade flows and investment patterns that support infrastructure projects, sustainable development, and regional connectivity.

In Perez’s assessment, the formation of a new world order appears to have already begun taking shape, with Venezuela keen to participate in and influence the process. The Venezuelan authorities reportedly view this emerging order as an opportunity to advance cooperation across financial systems, technology transfers, and knowledge sharing that could accelerate development in Latin America and beyond. By positioning itself as a constructive partner, Caracas signals its readiness to contribute to BRICS initiatives that promote stability, market access, and economic resilience. The overarching aim, as articulated by Venezuela, is to strengthen the bloc’s capacity to respond to global challenges with pragmatic solutions, leveraging its strategic resources and geographic position along important energy and trade corridors.

Earlier, the Russian Federation invited the Bolivian President to participate in the Kazan summit, a gesture that reflects BRICS’s interest in broadening regional dialogue and potentially integrating more voices into its discussions on the future of the international order. The openness to inviting additional regional leaders signals a broader strategy to expand BRICS’s influence through inclusive forums while balancing the interests of current members. The summit in Kazan is thus viewed as a focal point where policy directions, membership considerations, and cooperative projects could be shaped and announced. In this context, Venezuela’s potential accession sits at the intersection of energy policy, regional leadership, and the evolving architecture of global economic governance, inviting stakeholders to observe how BRICS may adapt to an increasingly multipolar landscape and how Caracas might contribute to that adaptation.

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