After meeting with Lula, the secretary of state says the Brazil-US relationship is stronger than ever

“We work together bilaterally, regionally, globally. This is a very important partnership and friendship for which we are grateful,” said US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken emphasized the “very important” partnership between the US and Brazil during his visit to Brasilia this Wednesday (21). After a meeting with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva that lasted about 1h50 minutes, the Brazilian chief executive thanked him for the time he devoted to highlighting bilateral, regional and global joint efforts.

“It was a great meeting. I'm very grateful for the president's time,” Blinken told reporters as he left the Palacio do Planado. “We work together bilaterally, regionally, globally. It's a very important partnership and friendship we're grateful for,” he added. said.

Blinken's visit comes amid a meeting of G20 foreign ministers in Rio de Janeiro, and comes days after Brazil's opposition accused Brazil of being “isolated” after Lula condemned the massacre of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. . America is Israel's main ally.

Lula said the meeting was important to advance the themes of environmental protection, energy transition and the expansion of investment and cooperation ties for peace. Last year, the United States decided to send donations to the Amazon Fund, with the aim of promoting forest conservation programs and initiatives.

During a press conference in Ethiopia, Lula compared the situation of Palestinians in Gaza to Adolf Hitler's genocide against Jews during the Nazi regime. The statements were immediately dismissed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a violation of the “red line”, and Lula became “persona non grata” for the current Israeli government.

After his visit to Brasilia, the US diplomatic chief will travel to Rio de Janeiro, where he will attend the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Blinken's visit highlights the importance of relations between the United States and Brazil, despite diplomatic challenges and disagreements.

Yesterday, during the Federal Senate session, the president of the assembly, Rodrigo Pacheco, said that Lula should retract his comparison of the genocide of the Palestinian people with the genocide of the Jewish people. Omar Aziz (BST), known as the head of the Covid-19 CBI, questioned Pacheco's stance: “Tell me what 30 thousand innocent people have died”.

Israel has been heavily criticized by the international community after announcing a military invasion of Rafah. The city, south of Gaza, is the last refuge of more than 1.5 million Palestinians. According to Reuters, the United States is implementing a temporary ceasefire plan in Gaza ahead of Ramadan, which begins in March. The United States has consistently vetoed resolutions drafted by other countries to end the conflict, and has faced criticism from countries such as South Africa and China.