Brazil supports US-Cuba talks

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement Thursday (Dec. 18) conveying Brazil's support for Cuba and the United States in restoring their relations.

The Foreign Ministry said Brazil's government met the news with great satisfaction as the governments of Cuba and the US announced they are starting negotiations to normalize their bilateral relations, thus burying one of the remnants of the Cold War.

The government complimented Presidents Barack Obama's and Raúl Castro's “leadership, political courage and strategic vision displayed with this historic decision, which will, hopefully, be followed by the prompt lifting of the embargo.” It also praised Pope Francis's role in the diplomatic efforts leading up to the announcement.

Also according to the note, the normalization of relations between Cuba and the US will help improve peace, democracy and prosperity in the Americas. “It will also strengthen the commitment of the Americas with the dialogue among sovereign States which see cooperation as the foundation of a more just international order for the benefit of all,” it read.

Earlier this year, Brazil's government was widely criticized over the unveiling of the first phase of the Port of Mariel, the largest private investment ever made in Cuba – with funding from BNDES, Brazil's bank for infrastructure investment. Now, following the announcement by Obama and Castro, the same government has garnered praise, and some analysts even said that Brazil had anticipated the process.

Some go even further to say that as the embargo ceases, Brazil might benefit from having supported Cuba's development and helped fund a large port located less than 200 kilometers off the Florida coast.

Translated by Mayra Borges