Samuel Pinheiro Guimarães, ambassador

Samuel Pinheiro Guimarães was one of the most important diplomats of his generation, with an extensive record of service to Brazil. Among the various positions he held, he served as Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between 2003 and 2009, as well as Chief Minister of Strategic Affairs between 2009 and 2010, and High Representative General of Mercosur between 2011 and 2012.

Vice President of Embrafilme during Celso Amorim's administration - a lifelong friend and partner - he was forced to leave his post due to the impact of the film "Pra Frente Brasil", a blunt criticism of the torture of political prisoners in the country during the military dictatorship.

Throughout his life, he defended development, democracy and popular causes, resisting various attempts at foreign interference in our country and working for an active and haughty foreign policy to promote Brazilian interests and sovereignty.

He was the author of articles and books, such as "Five Hundred Years of Periphery" and "Brazilian Challenges in the Age of Giants", in which he recorded and shared his reflections on geopolitics and Brazil's place in international relations.

I had the pleasure and honor of living and working with Samuel during my first two terms as President of the Republic and then as former President. In this moment of farewell, my condolences and solidarity to Samuel Pinheiro Guimarães' family, friends, students and colleagues.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

President of the Republic