Temer and Pence meet, talk about Venezuela
In a quick conversation Tuesday (Jun. 26) at the Planalto presidential palace, Brazilian President Michel Temer and US vice-President Mike Pence talked about Brazil–US ties. After greeting each other, the US official expressed concern over the situation facing Venezuelan refugees. Pence arrived at the palace early in the afternoon.
The vice-president told Temer that Brazil has made crucial efforts to assist those affected by the crisis in Venezuela by sheltering refugees fleeing the country. Pence went on to say that Brazil and the US have key economic relations based on friendship and aimed at the promotion of liberty.
Temer talked about the contribution made by the American Constitution of 1787 in the drafting of Brazil’s 1891 Constitution, founded on federation and democracy as principles.
The World Cup was also mentioned by Temer in the conversation. After saying that Brazilians are closely involved with the global event, he urged Americans to root for Brazil should the country reach the finals. “I know the US is not participating [in the games], but there are definitely a high number of football fans and aficionados. I hope you may support our country, if Brazil makes it to the finals,” he said, drawing smiles from the US vice-president.
Also discussed were cooperation in the space sector and security, as well as issues related to trade.
Pence has been in Brazil since early this morning, on the first high-level visit by a representative from Donald Trump’s government to the country. He arrived at the Planalto palace at around midday. After the meeting, he and Temer proceeded to the Itamaraty Palace, where the Brazilian Foreign Ministry is based, for a lunch with ministers.
In addition to Brasília, Mike Pence is expected to fly to Manaus tomorrow (27), where he is to visit a shelter for Venezuelan immigrants. There, city authorities are running two centers, where 200 Venezuelans are being sheltered.
