Bolsonaro administration members express excitement over meeting with Biden

by

In the hours after the first meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Jair Bolsonaro (PL), this Thursday (9), diplomats and other members of the Brazilian government showed themselves, in private conversations, surprised by the results of the meeting and said that there was “chemistry ” between the leaders of the USA and Brazil.

Members of the delegation in Los Angeles consider that the visit put an end to the crisis between the presidents. Biden had not spoken to Bolsonaro since taking office in January 2021, and the Brazilian president is close to the Democrat’s predecessor, Donald Trump, even endorsing attacks by the Republican against the American electoral system.

THE Sheet spoke with five Brazilians involved in the meeting, on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas. On condition of anonymity, they said that in the first part of the meeting, in which each spoke for about 10 minutes in front of journalists, both leaders seemed distant.

Bolsonaro spoke in a paused way, reading a paper, while Biden kept his arms in front of his body and brought his hands to his mouth, as when the Brazilian criticized social isolation during the pandemic. A point celebrated by members of the Brazilian government was the defense of the head of the White House for more countries to help Brazil with resources to prevent deforestation.

In the second moment, without the presence of the press, according to reports from people present at the meeting, the presidents spoke in more detail about topics mentioned in the opening speeches. Bolsonaro would have tried to propose new partnerships to Biden, who would have reacted with few words and in a protocol way.

The American would also have praised punctually and talked about geopolitics, including the Middle East. After 15 minutes, Bolsonaro asked that the conversation be more reserved, with only translators, the Brazilian Chancellor, Carlos França, and the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, staying.

The American agreed, and from then on there would have been a more direct conversation on topics that affect the relationship between the countries. After the meeting, Bolsonaro was satisfied. “It was much better than I expected,” he said, as he returned to the hotel where he was staying. “I’m in awe of him.” “What I said, and I said much more than he, he agreed. If we manage to expand this north-south axis, it will be good for everyone.”

Bolsonaro said he expected more meetings with the American leader, but Brazilian diplomats consider it unlikely, given that Brazilian elections will be in four months, and a new American gesture on the eve of the election could be seen as an endorsement.

One of the officials said he saw Biden’s invitation to meet Bolsonaro in Los Angeles as a sign of the weakening of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, whose members have already publicly criticized the Brazilian president, including during the week of his visit, over deforestation in the Amazon and Brazilian attacks on democracy. Therefore, they pressure the American leader to stay away from Bolsonaro.

After the meeting, the White House released a statement in which it called the US-Brazil partnership “vital to international efforts to address the climate crisis and ensure peace.” The US government also reaffirmed its support for Brazil’s entry into the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), the club of rich countries.

The note also states that the two presidents have pledged to work in partnership to reduce deforestation, to act jointly in the UN Security Council in the search for a resolution of the Ukrainian War and to “support democratic renewal” – without detailing how will that happen.

Late on Thursday night in Los Angeles, Itamaraty released new photos. One of them shows Bolsonaro and Biden smiling, as the Brazilian president touches the American’s arm. Images of a handshake between the two, however, have yet to be seen. Despite the excitement of the meeting, Bolsonaro passed up another chance to see Biden on the same day. He did not attend a dinner hosted by the American leader for heads of state who traveled to the Summit of the Americas.

You May Also Like

Recommended for you