Former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) today (26) visited Colombia’s new vice president, Francia Márquez, who was elected in June, along with the first left-wing president in Colombian history, Gustavo Petro. The informal meeting took place at the Perseu Abramo Foundation affiliated with PT in São Paulo.

During a two-day visit to Brazil before taking office in early August, Márquez is not expected to meet with President Jair Bolsonaro (PL), who has even criticized Petro’s candidacy during the election campaign. Lula was one of the Latin American leaders who celebrated the victory of the ticket.

The meeting is not considered an official meeting – elected, Márquez will only take office on August 7. The two discussed a possible strengthening of relations between Latin American countries, one of the main international flags of Lula’s campaign.

Among the topics discussed was the resumption of negotiations on the European Union’s trade agreement with Mercosur to add clauses on environmental protection, human rights and technology.

The reintroduction of an alternative to the old UnaSul (South American League of Nations) was also discussed. Established in 2008 during the Lula government, the intergovernmental organization discussed political-economic strategies among sub-continental countries. Ten years later, it lost power during the Michel Temer government (MDB).

“Themes related to social, racial and gender equality, which are very important to both countries, were discussed,” former Foreign Minister Celso Amorim said after the meeting. “Merkoz and UnaSul comment has been made.”

The strengthening of trade and political blocs in South America and the relationship between Latin American countries, a feature of the former PT administration (2003-2010), are also one of the focal points of the future government plan.

“To defend our sovereignty is to advocate the integration of South America, Latin America and the Caribbean with the aim of protecting regional security and promoting the integrated development of our region based on potential productive complementarities between our countries”, says one of the guidelines. will form the basis of the plan.

The rapprochement between the two leaders also marks a turning point celebrated by Lula, who has been on the left of South American countries in recent years, with the following elections:

• Alberto Fernández in Argentina at the end of 2019;
• by Pedro Castillo in Peru in July 2021;
• Gabriel Boric in Chile in December; and
• Petro is in Colombia this year.

The meeting was also attended by the foundation chairman, former minister Aloizio Mercadante, and PT deputy chairman Gleisi Hoffmann (PT-PR).

Early in the morning, Márquez also attended a meeting with former ministers Tereza Campelo (Social Development and Combating Hunger), Eleonora Menicucci (Women’s Politics) and Nilma Gomes (Women, Racial Equality and Human Rights). The participation of former president Dilma Rousseff (PT) was planned but canceled at the last moment.

They dealt with anti-racist policies, combating violence against women in urban centers and rural areas, and fighting poverty in Brazil during PT governments.

without meeting with Bolsonaro

The future Colombian vice president is expected to stay in Brazil until Thursday, 28, but has no confirmed agenda with President Bolsonaro.

Openly criticizing governments and left-wing candidates in Latin America, the Brazilian president not only congratulated Petro on the election, but also criticized his speech, saying that shortly after his victory, the Colombian wanted to “release all prisoners”. and compared him to Lula.

“Did you see the speech of Colombia’s new president? ‘Release all the children in prison, folks,'” Bolsonaro said. Brazil.

Just 24 hours after the election, Itamaraty issued a congratulatory note wishing Petro “success in fulfilling his duties”.

Regarding other neighboring countries, Bolsonaro also showed no interest in developing relations. Last week, Mercosur withdrew from the 60th Summit of Heads of State of Associated States, citing “agenda issues”.

Investing in the international agenda

The meeting is part of Lula’s pre-campaign movement, which reiterates the importance of “reclaiming Brazil’s international prestige”. In interviews and speeches, he said people “should go back to being proud of traveling the world with a Brazilian passport.”

In July, he received the Portuguese president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, for an informal meeting. Bolsonaro was also going to meet with the Portuguese, but he was annoyed by Lula’s schedule and decided to cancel the entire program.

In May, Lula received Princess Marie-Esméralda Léopoldine, a member of the Belgian royal family, in a closed meeting of a “private nature”.

Actions like this have been carried out since last year, especially with Bolsonaro’s international enemies. During his visit to Paris in November last year, he was greeted with protocol by French President Emmanuel Macron as head of state.