President Lula Holds Telephone Conversation with Venezuelan President

This Wednesday (June 5), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke with the President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro. Lula thanked his counterpart for Venezuela’s support to Minister Sonia Guajajara’s election to the Presidency of the Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean (FILAC). He also expressed interest in strengthening bilateral efforts to protect the Yanomami people living in the border region.

Regarding bilateral issues, the two leaders noted that many Brazilian entrepreneurs have expressed interest in resuming investment and commercial activities in Venezuela. Lula recalled that this exchange is particularly beneficial for the Brazilian states of Roraima and Amazonas. The two leaders also discussed the launch of negotiations on the Cooperation and Investment Facilitation Agreement and the renegotiation of bilateral debt. 

The two presidents also discussed the Venezuelan electoral process. Lula reaffirmed Brazil's support for the Barbados agreements and emphasized the importance of having a widespread presence of international observers. He also said that lifting the sanctions against Venezuela would allow the electoral process to proceed with more trust and understanding.