US defense secretary talks security in South America

James Mattis is in Brasília for a series of meetings

Published on 13/08/2018 - 16:10 By Carolina Gonçalves - Brasília

In Brazil for the first time, US Defense Secretary James Mattis is in Brasília, where he met with Brazilian Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes Ferreira this morning (Aug. 13). In the afternoon, the head of the Pentagon held a closed-doors meeting with Brazilian Defense Minister Joaquim Silva e Luna, followed by a number of bilateral meetings at the ministry.

A relevant topic for Brazil which may come to the fore during the talks is the resumption of a deal for the construction of the Alcântara satellite launch base, in the state of Maranhão, near the Equator.

O secretário norte-americano, James Mattis, passa em revista as tropas, durante encontro com  o ministro da Defesa, Joaquim Silva e Luna
James Mattis walks by Brazilian troops during his meeting with Brazil's Defense Minister Joaquim Silva e Luna. – Antonio Cruz / Agência Brasil

Later today, Mattis is expected to take off for Rio de Janeiro, where he is to deliver a lecture on defense at the Escola Superior de Guerra tomorrow. Also planned is a visit to the monument to the Second World War downtown. Next, he is slated to fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Mattis is also expected to visit Chile and Colombia, and will leave the South American continent on Friday (17).

Venezuela

Jim Mattis, as he is usually referred to by US media outlets, occupies one of the most important positions in the American government, and has served in this post since the beginning of Trump’s administration. The crisis in Venezuela is also expected to be brought to debate during his visit to South America.

In the last few days, the alleged attempt to murder Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro sparked a number of measures against local opponents. One of them was the arrest order of two opposition congress members and another 19 suspects.

Brazil and other 11 countries that make up the Lima Group have issued a note rebuking the repression of opposition parties and arguing for a transparent investigation into the attack.

Maduro signaled he accepts the collaboration of the FBI in the investigations, as long as supposed links with the US are also brought under scrutiny.

Translation: Fabrício Ferreira -  Edition: Renata Giraldi / Lílian Beraldo / Augusto Queiroz

Latest news