MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Uruguay prepared to receive Lula da Silva if he requests political asylum

“Brazil is a very important country for Uruguay, from all points of view; it is in the interest of us to have the best of possible relations with the government of Brazil”.

President Tabare Vazquez said on Monday that Uruguay recognizes the government of president Michel Temer, respects the decisions of Brazil emerging from its political situation and admitted considering giving asylum to Brazilian politicians, if contemplated under International Law.

 “It must be clear that Uruguay historically and in the framework of international relations recognizes governments, and Brazil now has a government which Uruguay has already recognized” said Vazquez on Monday talking with the media following a conference with Brazilian business people in Sao Paulo.

“Brazil is a very important country for Uruguay, from all points of view, including trade and investment, and thus it is in the interest of us to have the best of possible relations with the government of Brazil”, added the president.

“Brazil's domestic problems are addressed and solved by Brazil, and us, from outside are not entitled to any opinion on the matter. We don't want to intervene in domestic political problems of other countries”, insisted the Uruguayan leader in reference to the political situation Brazil is still going through, including a raft of corruption scandals.

Vazquez was cautious when referring to president Michel Temer and hardly mentioned him, but he also anticipated that if any Brazilian politician appeals for asylum in Uruguay, and the situation is contemplated by International Law, Uruguay will accept it and receive the person.

“I believe president Temer is a very kind and serious person, I talked with him for half an hour in New York...that's it”, said Vazquez and took no more questions on the matter.

In recent weeks there have been insistent rumors in Uruguay that ex president Lula da Silva, mentioned as a suspect in several corruption cases linked to Petrobras, and who this week faces a round of questionings, could be planning to take political refuge in Uruguay.

Several media recalled that one of Lula's sons who is a soccer coach is working for a Uruguayan football team with the purpose of “preparing” the asylum for the family, but his solicitors and the local team have strongly denied such possibility.

“Uruguay is a country of open arms”, underlined Vazquez without giving names, “whoever arrives in Uruguay to work, to live, to share, to respect our laws...is welcome”.

Vazquez concluded saying that, “as I have repeatedly stated, within the constitution and our legal system, all is accepted, but outside that framework, not an iota”.