Gustavo Petro and Lula da Silva meet at the Casa de Nariño: what topics will they address?

The President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, He arrived this Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the Casa de Nariño in Bogotá to meet with his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, with whom he will talk about environmental cooperation, economic issues and also the Venezuelan situation.

Lula, accompanied by the first lady of Brazil, Rosângela ‘Janja’ Lula da Silva, was received with military honors in the Plaza de Armas of the Colombian presidential palace.

However, he was not received by Petro in the outer courtyard of the palace, as usually happens, but rather the Colombian president waited for him at the door, along with the first lady, Verónica Alcocer.

The Brazilian and the Colombian, who have established as the main South American leaders who defend the environmentwill discuss “bilateral strategic issues, among others, the protection of the Amazon,” reported the Colombian Presidency.

Thus, on the table are issues of trade and investments, sustainable development and Amazon cooperationsocial programs, human rights and family farming, among others.

“The delegations of the two governments will hold meetings to discuss specific issues of binational interest, such as the implementation of the Belém do Pará Declaration of 2023, pharmaceutical regulation, bioceanic corridors, tourism, homologation of university degrees and electrical interconnection,” indicated the House. from Nariño.

It is expected that also unite visions about Venezuela, since both countries have expressed their “worry” by obstacles imposed for the registration of some opposition presidential candidates facing the elections on July 28, but they do not consider that “isolating” that country is the answer.

“The regional situation is an issue that must be addressed” and the electoral process in Venezuela is “of interest to both countries,” said last week the director of the South American department of the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, João Queiroz.

Likewise, a road infrastructure plan proposed by Brazil to the South American countries will be discussed, which aims to build a wide network of roads and which has the endorsement of the main regional financial organizations.

The two presidents will also analyze trade alternatives, both bilaterally and regionally, which include a push for the integration of South American production chains.

Brazil is today Colombia’s third largest trading partnerbehind the United States and China, so the two governments intend to expand this exchange.

After the meeting and an official statement, both leaders will address a Brazil-Colombia Economic Forum, which will bring together 300 businessmen from both countries.

They will also inaugurate the XXXVI Bogotá International Book Fair, one of the most relevant cultural events in Colombia and which is dedicated this year to Brazil.