Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva i want to move Brazil at the center of gravity of regional politics, and with this drive, at a meeting of South American countries this Tuesday common currency for commercial purposes. Lula did nothing but repeat to his colleagues the following question: dollar in financial transactions. The existence of a “common reference unit for commerce”, according to the Brazilian president, dependency on non-regional currencies“and will also contribute”Deepening South American identity Lula had already outlined this horizon when she visited Argentina at the end of January. other countries.
According to the host of the summit held in Brasilia, it is not about changing common currencies in the countries at issue, but the establishment of a new currency. import and export payments. For Lula, this venture goes hand in hand with her desire to breathe new life into the world. Union of South American Nations (Unasur)was deactivated during the years of the right’s reign in its historical promoters, Brazil and Argentina. The Brazilian noted that, unlike what happened many years ago, during the previous two presidency there were interests that united the countries of the subcontinent. “They are above ideological differences“.
The Brasilia event was conceived by its organizers as a “retreat” of the presidents, allowing for unconditional discussion. Alberto Fernández (Argentina), Luis Arce (Bolivia), Gabriel Boric (Chile), Gustavo Petro (Colombia), Guillermo Lasso (Ecuador), Irfaan Ali (Guyana), Mario Abdo Benítez (Paraguay), Chan Santokhi (Suriname), attended Luis Lacalle Pou (Uruguay) and Nicolás Maduro (Venezuela). Dina Boluarte was not authorized by Congress to leave Peru.
Unasur factor
Unasur was launched in 2008. Lula, Cristina Kirchner and hugo chavez they later formed a political axis that included the presidents of Bolivia and Chile, Evo Morales and Michelle Bachelet. Shifts to the right in each of these countries have turned this forum into a rubber stamp seeking relative autonomy from the United States. In fact, during the Donald Trump years in the White House, Lima Group, To act as regional pressure on the Venezuelan issue.
It’s time for Lula to continue on the path left behind. “Let’s remember that (Unasur) is in force. Seven countries remain full members. It’s important to restart the construction process,” he asked, with “efficiency in implementation” of projects.
As part of these goals, Coordinated action to combat the climate crisis and creating a South American energy market. He was also in favor of the resumption of cooperation in the field of Defense. “We need to create a block to work together., economic, investment, environmental issues. It’s not difficult, because we have more or less the same problems.” January 8, when the Brazilians witnessed “a tragic synthesis of the violence of extremist groupsthose who use digital platforms to promote disinformation campaigns and hate speech”.
Criticism of Maduro’s admission
Maduro’s presence in Brazil has sparked a predictable internal debate. Bolsonarismo took advantage of the circumstances to criticize Lula. Senator Ciro Nogueira, former Foreign Minister Jair BolsonaroAn irony was allowed, in reference to the slogan “Brazil is back”, in which the president assumed the presidency. “is back bow to the dictators of Latin America and treating them as ‘heads of state’. Democracy is a vocabulary word for the PT.” The retired captain’s eldest son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, thought that Lula “reaffirmed his commitment to democracy by accepting Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan dictator, who has been accused of crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, assault, sexual violence and disappearance.” former vice president Hamilton Mourao he thought the visit “represented”shame on brazilians“and” a lack of respect for the Venezuelan people.
Objections did not come only from the far right. Oliver Stuenkel, professor of International Relations at the Getulio Vargas GV-SP Foundation and columnist for the São Paulo newspaper Situation aforementioned “Lula’s incredible fawning rhetoric against Maduro It does more damage to the international reputation of the Brazilian government – whose systematic repression and human rights abuses are well documented – than anything Lula has ever said or done. Lula has positioned himself as one of Venezuela’s main allies, and most of Venezuela’s other allies are autocratic regimes. This basically excludes Brazil from any potential mediating role in Venezuela.”