US President Joseph R. Biden said Friday the United States and Brazil — the two largest democracies in the hemisphere, "have been tested of late." The two nations "reject political violence" and affirmed his commitment to "stand together" to adhere to democratic values around the world, he told reporters while welcoming Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Referring to the insurrections in January 2021 in the US and last month in Brazil, President Biden said, "Democracy prevailed" in both nations. The United States and Brazil are the two largest democracies in the hemisphere, he said adding that he was "looking forward" to their discussions. On his part, Lula thanked President Biden and said Brazil had "isolated from the world itself for four years," referring to the tenure of his predecessor. He said his predecessor despised international relations and lived "fake news morning, afternoon and night." The acts of violence at the Capitol in Washington and the government buildings in Brazil can never be repeated, Lula said, stressing the need to work on climate change, particularly in the Amazon, again criticizing the policies of Bolsanaro. Lula concluded with an urgent call for both nations to rally for democracy and to preserve the rainforest. On the agenda of the US-Brazil summit talks, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said, the leaders will discuss issues that are important to both of them, to the region and to the world. "That includes combating climate change, stimulating economic development, strengthening democracy, promoting human rights and inclusion, as well as managing irregular migration. "This meeting between the two leaders will strengthen the relationship between the United States and Brazil and will help set the stage for upcoming high level engagements between the two countries," Kirby added. The two leaders hoped to reset relations after an era defined by right-wing populists and threats to democracy in both nations. "To defend democracy is an obligation of all democrats in the world," Lula told CNN's Chief International Anchor Christiane Amanpour in an interview in Washington. "I (could never) have imagined that it could happen in US, in North America, the invasion of the Capitol. As I never could imagine that in Brazil, after a democratic procession with elections, we could have an invasion of the Congress, the supreme court and the presidential palace." "This means that you have an extreme right running around the world, an extreme right that is very nervous and that uses fake news as if it was a tool to develop politics and to talk to people, to communicate with people," he went on. "And we have to destroy, you know, this narrative that they use against the democrats." By extending an early invitation to Lula to visit the White House, Biden hoped to cultivate closer ties and demonstrate his support for one of the Western Hemisphere's key players. Biden quickly called Lula following his victory late last year, hoping to demonstrate support after Bolsonaro had laid the groundwork to question the election results. The move was received well among Lula's officials, who saw it as a sign Biden was looking to restore US-Brazil ties. Biden largely iced Bolsonaro out, engaging with him only sparingly. With the left-wing Lula, he finds more of an ideological ally. Rebuilding those bonds, and affirming a commitment to democracy, was key in their first face-to-face meeting. "I affirm the United States' unwavering support for Brazil's democracy, and respect for the free will of the Brazilian people," Biden said Friday. "We reject political violence." An area they may not be as closely aligned is on Ukraine. Lula has adopted a policy of non-intervention, rebuffing efforts led by Biden to united the global community in opposition to Russia's invasion. Lula was expected to propose a "peace club" meant to negotiate an end to the war, including countries like China and India that haven't taken as firm a stance in opposition to the invasion. Biden is "looking forward" to hearing out Lula's proposals for Ukraine, the senior administration official said, and the US will "respect and support efforts by Lula to promote dialogue and peace." — Agencies
