Brazil, Chile sign 19 bilateral acts

On Monday (Aug. 5), Brazil and Chile signed 19 agreements and other bilateral acts in areas including tourism, science and technology, defense, agriculture, human rights, trade, and investment relations. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is on an official visit to Chile and was welcomed by the country's president, Gabriel Boric, at La Moneda palace in Santiago.

The two countries have more than 90 bilateral agreements in force and a balanced but still little diversified trade. The agreements signed seek to achieve this diversification.

In his speech, Lula highlighted the collaborations agreed for real integration between the countries, especially in the areas of climate change and tourism. "South American integration is a reality that makes a difference to people's lives, as demonstrated by the roaming exemption agreement we signed last year and the reciprocal driver's license recognition agreement we signed today," Lula stated.

"Additionally, the challenges posed by natural disasters and organized crime cut across countries. The fires in Chile in 2023 and this year's floods in southern Brazil call climate denialism into question and reinforce the need for cooperation. The Chilean proposal to establish a regional disaster response mechanism has our backing and support," added the Brazilian president.

Boric also emphasized the importance of initiatives aimed at boosting trade and tourism between the two countries, as well as joint efforts to combat organized crime and drug trafficking. During the meeting, a treaty on extradition was signed.

Integration

Lula's visit takes place amid a renewed focus on South American integration. Brazil and Chile, with over 90 bilateral agreements in place, are partners with Paraguay and Argentina in the Bioceanic Corridor project, which will connect Brazil's Central-West to northern Chilean ports. As the infrastructure work nears completion, the countries are now focusing on ensuring that border and logistics services are efficient and modern. Chile's ports will play a crucial role in facilitating access to Pacific markets.

Global alliance

Lula highlighted Chile's collaboration in the G20 working groups chaired by Brazil, while Boric announced that Chile would join the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, proposed by Brazil. The two leaders share common views on several global issues, including the defense of democracy, regional integration, environmental protection, human rights, social inclusion, labor rights, and the situation in Palestine.

The Brazilian president invited the Chilean president to participate in the meeting of leaders against extremism, set to take place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this September. The meeting is being led by Lula and Spain's President Pedro Sánchez.

Venezuela

In regional politics, Chilean President Gabriel Boric reacted negatively to the announcement that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been re-elected in the July 28 elections, calling the results "hard to believe." In response, the Venezuelan government expelled the Chilean diplomatic mission, along with Argentinian and Peruvian diplomats. Brazil will now oversee the operations of the Peruvian and Argentinian embassies in Caracas.

The Brazilian government, however, insists on dialogue and demands that the Venezuelan electoral authority release the polling station-level data. Last week, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico issued a joint statement calling for the impasse surrounding the Venezuelan elections to be resolved through institutional means.

Lula and Boric discussed the issue, with Lula outlining the initiatives he has undertaken concerning the political process in Venezuela. "Respect for tolerance and popular sovereignty drives our defense of transparency in the results. Our commitment to peace motivates us to encourage dialogue and promote understanding between the government and the opposition," Lula said. He also mentioned his visit to the Hall of Democracy and Memory at La Moneda palace.

"I regret that Brazil has in its history the sad stain of having supported the Chilean dictatorship. We know that arbitrariness is the enemy of well-being and that democracy cannot be sustained without a state that guarantees rights. In recent years, Brazil has experienced a narrow-minded version of the same combination of political authoritarianism and economic neoliberalism," added Lula.

Agenda

Lula arrived in Chile on Sunday night (4), and began his official visit on Monday morning (5) with a floral tribute at the monument to General Bernardo O'Higgins, in Santiago's Plaza de la Ciudadanía, a traditional gesture for leaders making a state visit to the country. General O'Higgins, the founder of the Chilean Army, is considered the father of Chile's homeland for his participation in the process of independence from the Spanish empire, which was consolidated in 1818.

On Tuesday (Aug. 6), meetings are scheduled with Santiago's mayor, Irací Hassler, and former Chilean president Ricardo Lagos. President Lula is expected to return to Brazil in the early afternoon.