Brazil: Lula disappointed with Obama's LatAm policy

Wednesday, December 29th 2010 - 07:09 UTC

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Lula da Silva indicated that he has been frustrated by the lack of change in relations with the US since President Obama was elected

Relations between the United States and Latin America have not changed in any meaningful way under President Barack Obama, Brazilian head of state Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said.

“The truth is that nothing has changed and I view that with sadness,” the departing chief executive said during a breakfast with journalists at the presidential palace in Brasilia.

Lula, who leaves office Saturday after two four-year terms, said that despite his having several conversations with Obama about the need for “a change of vision” in Washington's relations with Latin America, he is not confident the message has been received.

“In the United States they should understand the importance of Latin America,” the Brazilian leader said, “a democratic region ... without nuclear bombs.”

With “more than 35 million Latin Americans living in the United States,” Lula said he finds it hard to understand why Washington continues to behave as an “empire” in its ties with the region.

“I hope Obama visits Brazil in 2011, but the important thing is that he visits not just this country, but all our countries, to know our reality,” the Brazilian president said.

Lula also repeated the criticism he offered last week of U.S. policy in the Middle East.

“There will be no accord in the Middle East while the United States believes it can build peace alone, because it is part of the conflict,” he said.

While “the people of the United States want peace” and “many sectors” among the Israelis and Palestinians feel likewise, the officials at the negotiating table do not necessarily share that goal, Lula said. (EFE)

Categories: Politics, Brazil, Latin America.

Tags: Latam, Lula da Silva, President Barack Obama.

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Duglas
Offer him a round of golf. He'll be there tomorrow.
Dec 30th, 2010 - 10:44 am 0
IQT2010
It is unfortunate and shameful that, after centuries, USA continues to side with others far away than to join those in AMERICA DEL SUR (same continent, Hello!!!) Needless to say, the US government has not learned from its “friends” in Europe and Asia, that have more poured assistance, and capital in Latinamerica, creating a welcome pad for all those countries, instead of the “gringos” who are always treating us like the “step brother”, and only running to us when they need us. Mr. Obama, everyone here thought you would do better than Mr. Bush!
Dec 30th, 2010 - 12:57 pm 0
mgkay
C. Wright Mills wrote a book shortly after Fidel Castro took over Cuba; he called it “Listen Yankee” and his thesis was that the U.S. for too many years considered all of Latin and South America as its sphere of influence and “looked over” the people of that area not as Brothers and Sisters, but rather as children who needed our guidance. A great opportunity was missed at that time for us to reach out to support and understand another country`s people in their efforts to improve their conditions. All peoples have hopes for a better life.
Dec 30th, 2010 - 10:52 pm 0

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