Border wall between the US and Mexico worries Brazil government

The Brazilian government said it is concerned about US President Donald Trump's order to build a wall along the Mexican border. In a press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty) opposed the US government's unilateral initiative and proposed the dialogue as a solution for problems between "friendly peoples, as it is the case of the United States and Mexico."

On Thursday (Jan. 26), Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto canceled his trip to the neighboring country after Trump signed an executive order authorizing works on the wall. The US president also defended that Mexico should pay for the construction, which was regretted and condemned by Peña Nieto.

"The vast majority of Latin American countries have close ties of friendship with the United States people. Therefore, the Brazilian government expresses its concern about the idea of building a wall to divide sister nations on our continent without reaching a consensus between them," reported the Itamaraty.

"Brazil has always worked with the firm belief that matters between friendly peoples—as it is the case of the United States and Mexico—should be resolved through dialogue and the creation of spaces of understanding," the Brazilian government added in the statement.

After taking office last Friday (20), Trump announced a series of controversial measures, including withdrawing the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal and tightening immigration rules.

In December, President Michel Temer talked to him about launching an agenda between both countries.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta