The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, stated this Friday (20) that Latin America and the Caribbean are experiencing “one of the most delicate situations in their history” and defended a joint response by the region’s countries in the face of global challenges. The statement was made during the meeting of foreign ministers of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), in Bogotá.
In his speech, the Brazilian chancellor criticized recent episodes of external interference in the region and stated that returning to this type of practice is not a solution to current problems. According to him, challenges such as migration, transnational crime and climate change require cooperation between countries and cannot be faced in isolation.
“The history of external interventions in Latin America and the Caribbean, with their disastrous results, leaves no doubt: returning to this past is not the answer to the challenges of the present”, he stated.
Vieira also criticized responses that he classified as “unilateral” and defended greater regional coordination. According to the minister, solutions to the problems faced by countries must be built based on dialogue and cooperation.
During his speech, the chancellor reiterated Brazil’s position against unilateral blockades and reaffirmed his support for the Cuban people. He also highlighted that Latin America and the Caribbean have consolidated themselves, over the last few decades, as a zone of peace and cooperation.
The minister also defended the strengthening of CELAC as a space for political articulation in the region, especially at a time of increasing global tensions. For him, regional integration is essential to avoid the vulnerability of countries to external pressure.
“Separation makes us more vulnerable to disruptive actions. Together, we strengthen our synergies”, he stated.
Vieira also highlighted the importance of expanding dialogue with other regions, such as Africa, China and the European Union, and defended the creation of mechanisms to continue these initiatives.
Behind the scenes, Mauro Vieira has assumed an increasingly important role in the Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva government. According to diplomatic sources, the chancellor has increased his role in strategic agendas and regional coordination, especially in multilateral forums such as CELAC.
A CNN found that Vieira must even represent Brazil at the summit heads of state meeting this Saturday (21), after the early departure of President Lula, who is not expected to remain until the end of the plenary session.
At the end of the speech, the chancellor reaffirmed Brazil’s commitment to multilateralism and to strengthening the United Nations. He also mentioned the country’s support for Michelle Bachelet for the position of UN secretary-general.
The speech took place on the eve of the CELAC heads of state summit, which will be held this Saturday (21), also in Bogotá.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the early hours of this Saturday and participates in the 1st CELAC-Africa High Level Forum throughout the day. The Brazilian president is expected to speak in the morning, at the opening of the event.
