Newly elected president of Chile, conservative José Antonio Kast stated that he had a “constructive” meeting with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) this Tuesday (27), in Panama, where the region’s leaders are participating in the International Economic Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean.
“Can we have political differences with other nations? Indeed, we can have them, but this does not have to harm the investments and economic development of any country. We saw how Chilean investors established their businesses in Brazil, received many facilities, and we intend the same for large Brazilian investors in Chile”, said the Chilean after the meeting.
The two met in Panama City on the sidelines of the economic event. Kast told journalists that the governments exchanged contact to maintain dialogue on “issues that matter” to their respective countries.
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Among these issues addressed by the two presidents was regional security and the fight against poverty.
“South America faces enormous challenges in security, economic progress and poverty reduction, and cooperation between the States of Chile and Brazil can lead the change that our region needs. I thank you for the constructive meeting with President Lula”, wrote Kast on a social network.
The Lula government amended it by stating that “the two leaders also addressed the need to promote regional stability, reinforce public security and intensify joint actions to combat organized crime, recognizing the importance of cooperation to face common challenges.”
“Both reiterated the importance of maintaining and deepening bilateral relations between Brazil and Chile, highlighting the willingness to expand cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, renewable energy, trade and tourism”, added the Brazilian government
Kast also avoided talking about issues that generate friction between the countries, such as the recent US operations in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro. The Chilean supported the American intervention on January 3, as well as other right-wing leaders in the region, unlike Lula.
The pragmatic relationship between the two in Panama is at odds with the history of criticism leveled at the PT member in the past. Years ago, Kast even called Lula a “criminal” and “corrupt”.
Furthermore, the Chilean is known as a friend of the Bolsonaro family. Months before the presidential election, Kast even stated that former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) was convicted by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) for political motivation.
