President Lula (PT).| Photo: Marcelo Camargo/Agência Brasil

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) will meet this Tuesday afternoon (24) with the Cuban dictator, Miguel Díaz-Canel, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The meeting is scheduled to take place after Lula’s participation in the VII Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac).

On Monday (23), Lula highlighted the importance of CELAC in regional integration and said he was proud of Cuba’s participation in the bloc. Still in the context of foreign relations, the president asked for “affection” with the Cuban dictatorship and the end of the economic embargo against the island promoted by the United States 60 years ago.

“An end to the blockade of Cuba, which has lasted more than 60 years without any need. Cubans don’t want to copy the Brazilian or US model, they want to make their own model. And who has to do with that? So, it has to treat Venezuela and Cuba with great affection and, in what we can help solve their problems, we will help”, said the PT.

In addition to the relationship with Cuba, Lula also defended the strengthening of relations with Venezuela, under the command of dictator Nicolás Maduro. “Brazil is going to re-establish diplomatic relations with Venezuela. We want it to have an embassy in Brazil and for Brazil to have an embassy in Venezuela. We are going to re-establish the civilized relationship between two autonomous, free and independent states”, stated Lula.

Lula’s agenda with Maduro was also expected to take place during his visit to Argentina. However, the Venezuelan dictator withdrew from participating in the CELAC meeting.

Next Wednesday (25), Lula will go on an official trip to Uruguay, where he will meet with the country’s Chief Executive, Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou. The petista will receive an award for his performance in defense of the Environment, given by the city’s Intendance, and will meet the former president of Uruguay, Pepe Mujica.