President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) was received at the Colombian presidential palace, Casa de Nariño, by Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, this Tuesday (17). The leaders took a photo together, and Lula received a Petro cap.
The Brazilian president visits Bogotá with a large delegation of 9 ministers for a full agenda this Wednesday. Lula and Petro participate in a bilateral meeting, and soon there will be an expanded meeting with the participation of ministers from both countries.
Colombia is the third largest economy in South America and has more than 1,600 km of border with Brazil. On the bilateral agenda of the two countries are issues such as trade, technical cooperation, border integration, protection of the Amazon and indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples, combating transnational crime and territorial management.
Countries must sign memorandums of understanding on issues such as combating human trafficking, agricultural development, police cooperation.
Despite the enormous range of bilateral relations, the current Latin American crises clash with Lula's integrationist spirit and may occupy space in the conversation between presidents.
The meeting between Petro and Lula at Casa de Nariño is expected to last around two hours. One of the topics covered should be Venezuela's electoral process. Last week, the president of Colombia was in Caracas and proposed that Maduro mediate a dialogue with the opposition. The Venezuelan called the initiative excellent and asked for any help possible so that there is understanding in his country.
The concern and willingness to dialogue is common with Lula. Brazil said that preventing opposition candidate Corina Yoris from registering as a candidate is incompatible with the agreement that established electoral guarantees for this year's presidential elections in Venezuela.
But Planalto maintains the stance that the isolation of the Maduro government does not contribute to improving the situation in Venezuela.
Another issue that can be addressed is the invasion of the Mexican embassy by the Ecuadorian police. Regarding the episode, Petro said that Ecuador and Israel are practically hand in hand in the competition for barbarity. Lula stated that the Ecuadorian government's stance is unacceptable and demanded a formal apology.
After the meetings at the palace, the two presidents will participate in the closing of the Brazil Colombia Business Forum held by the Brazilian Export Promotion Agency, Apex, and its Colombian equivalent. Around 200 Brazilian businesspeople will participate in the event.
Before returning to Brazil, Lula will participate in the Bogotá International Book Fair, which this year has Brazil as guest of honor and honored country.
Source: CNN Brasil
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