Brazil to ink deal with US on use of Alcântara Base

The governments of Brazil and the US next week will sign a new deal on technological safeguards allowing the US to use the Alcântara rocket launch base, in Maranhão state.

The signing will take place during President Jair Bolsonaro’s visit to the US, which starts Sunday (Mar. 17). It was announced Thursday (14) during a live broadcast on social media by the president, next to Foreign Minister Ernesto Araújo and Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta. Without getting into details on the terms in the agreement, the chancellor said the goal is to transform the Alcântara Base into the main spot for launching rockets in commercial bases.

Bolsonaro added that, since former President Lula’s administration (2003–2020), there have been efforts to negotiate the terms for a partnership in Alcântara. “Ideological” issues, however, got in the way, he said.

Other deals

During his visit to Washington, Bolsonaro also plans to talk about agreements on energy, security and national defense, biodiversity, and agriculture. Araújo reiterated that there is a “connection” between the Brazilian and the US economy, especially in the private sector.

Araújo said that Bolsonaro and Trump will discuss the crisis in Venezuela. Both have shown support for Juan Guaidó, Venezuela’s self-proclaimed president, and advocated humanitarian help and the adoption of measures against the government of Nicolás Maduro.