Lula, Biden to talk climate, migration, food security on Feb. 10
The US government released a statement on Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s visit to the country on February 10. Lula is expected to meet with President Joe Biden in Washington, where they should discuss issues such as climate change, food security, economic development, peace and security, and measures to regulate regional migration.
According to the statement, Biden seeks to “further strengthen the close relationship between the United States and Brazil” and restate his country’s support of Brazilian democracy.
“During their meeting at the White House, the two Presidents will discuss the United States’ unwavering support of Brazil’s democracy and how the two countries can continue to work together to promote inclusion and democratic values in the region and around the world, particularly in the lead-up to the March 2023 Summit for Democracy,” the text reads.
The second edition of the summit will take place online on March 29 and 30, co-organized by the US, Costa Rica, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Zambia. The first edition was held in December 2021, when over 100 countries committed to building more resilient democracies, fighting corruption, and protecting human rights.
The January 8 riot
After the pro-coup riot of January 8, which resulted in the depredation of public government buildings in Brasília, Biden also phoned Lula to express his solidarity. On the occasion, he condemned the violent uprising as well as the attacks on democratic institutions and the peaceful transfer of power.
The visit to the US will be President Lula’s second international trip after he took office. In January, he was in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he met with the country’s President Alberto Fernández to discuss ties between the two nations and attended the summit meeting of leaders of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, in addition to other engagements and bilateral meetings with leaders.
On the same trip, Lula went to Montevideo, Uruguay, to meet with President Luis Lacalle Pou on efforts to strengthen Mercosur.
