The US Secretary of State met with Lula in Brasília
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke this Wednesday (21) about peace initiatives in the Gaza Strip and the elections in Venezuela. The information comes from the North American Embassy.
Lula and Blinken met at the Palácio do Planalto for about two hours. Representatives of both governments were also present. According to an investigation by GloboNews, both disagreed over Lula's speech in which he referred to the genocide in Gaza (see details below).
“We are working together,” Blinken said after meeting Lula
After the meeting, the US Embassy released a report on the main points of the conversation.
“The minister discussed U.S. engagement in the conflict in Gaza, including urgent work with partners to facilitate the release of all hostages and increase humanitarian assistance and improve protection of Palestinian civilians,” the embassy briefing said.
According to the US government, this was the only mention of the conflict in Gaza. The meeting between Blinken and Lula came amid controversy sparked by a speech by the president over the weekend. On an official trip to Ethiopia, Lula criticized Israel's military deployment in the region. Lula compared the Israeli attacks to the Holocaust carried out by the Nazi regime against Jews. Lula's speech sparked outrage from the Israeli government, which demanded an apology from the president.
The US Embassy note does not indicate whether Blinken and Lula discussed the president's speech.
Disagreement over genocide in Gaza
GloboNews reporter Raquel Krahenbuhl spoke to a source at the Palácio do Planalto who said that the topic of the Holocaust and Lula's statement were indeed raised.
According to this source, Blinken began the topic by remembering that his stepfather was a Holocaust survivor. Lula listened to the Foreign Minister's remarks. Blinken disagreed with Lula's view that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
A senior US State Department official emphasized to the reporter that Blinken had made it clear that he disagreed with Lula's comments.
1 of 1 President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (center) receives US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Palácio do Planalto in Brasília as part of the G20 foreign ministers' meeting before Blinken leaves for Rio de Janeiro Photo: Cláudio Reis/Enquadrar/Estadão Conteúdo President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (center) receives United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Planalto Palace in Brasília as part of the G20 foreign ministers' meeting before Blinken leaves for Rio de Janeiro Photo: Cláudio Reis/Enquadrar/Estadão Conteúdo
Blinken also outlined U.S. efforts to extend the humanitarian pause in Gaza, release hostages and increase aid to civilians.
Antony Blinken arrives in Brazil and meets with Lula
According to the US, Blinken praised Lula for Brazil's stance in the VenezuelaGuyana crisis.
At the end of last year, the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro held a referendum to inform the population about the annexation of the Essequibo region of Guyana. The area is rich in mineral resources. Venezuela's actions raised tensions between the two countries, which lie on Brazil's northern border.
The Lula government tried to mediate the conflict and prevent hostilities from escalating. Although the referendum decided to include Essequibo as a Venezuelan territory, the region remains part of Guyana.
“Secretary Blinken commended President Lula for Brazil’s role in deescalating tensions between Guyana and Venezuela in the Essequibo region,” the embassy said.
The note also mentions elections scheduled for this year in Venezuela and recalls that the Maduro regime has been committed to democratic and transparent elections, which international bodies have said was not the case in recent electoral disputes in Venezuela.
“The Minister reiterated our position that Nicolas Maduro must return to implementing the Barbados Election Roadmap to ensure competitive presidential elections in 2024.”
After Brasília, Blinken traveled to Rio de Janeiro, where foreign ministers from the G20 countries are meeting this week. Brazil will host the G20 summit in November. On this tour of South America, Blinken will also meet President Javier Milei in Argentina.