President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) receives this Monday (16), at 10 am, at the Palácio do Planalto, the president of Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz Pereira, on an official visit to Brazil. The agenda was confirmed in a notice released by the Presidency of the Republic and foresees, after the meeting at Planalto, a lunch between the delegations at the Itamaraty Palace. The meeting between the two leaders should discuss agreements, considered by the government, to be strategic in the areas of energy, infrastructure, regional integration and tourism, in addition to discussing topics linked to communities living on the border between the two countries.
According to the Brazilian government, the meeting is part of the diplomatic agenda to strengthen bilateral relations and expand economic cooperation between Brazil and Bolivia. Planalto hopes that conversations will advance on infrastructure and logistics projects to improve trade flow and facilitate the flow of products between the two countries.
The Bolivian president, elected at the end of 2025, is a member of the Christian Democratic Party and has defended, since the electoral campaign, a strategic relationship with Brazil. During his candidacy, Rodrigo Paz stated that the neighboring country is Bolivia’s main economic partner and that he intends to expand regional integration through joint projects in areas such as transport, energy and trade.
The visit comes after previous meetings between Lula and Paz in international forums. Earlier this year, the two participated in a bilateral meeting in Panama City, where they discussed initiatives to strengthen cooperation between South American countries and alternatives to expand Bolivian access to ports and trade routes. One of the topics discussed at that meeting was the logistical integration of the continent, considered strategic for regional economic development.
Among the issues that should be taken up again at the meeting in Brasília is the debate on transport corridors that connect Bolivian territory to Brazilian ports and the Pacific Ocean. During recent engagements abroad, Rodrigo Paz stated that he intends to transform Bolivia into a bridge between Brazil and the Pacific, expanding trade possibilities with Asian markets and strengthening the integration of South America.
Another point on the bilateral agenda involves the energy sector. Brazil and Bolivia have a history of cooperation in this area, especially in the supply of Bolivian natural gas to the Brazilian market. In recent years, authorities from both countries have discussed new possibilities for energy partnerships, as well as alternatives to diversify the matrix and expand investments in the sector.
The meeting should also address joint security and development initiatives in the Amazon region. Amid indications that Donald Trump’s American government should classify Brazilian criminal organizations as terrorist cells, representatives of the two governments should also discuss strategies to confront organized crime in the border region and strengthen cooperation mechanisms between security forces.
This week’s diplomatic agenda comes just days after Rodrigo Paz participated in the inauguration of Chile’s new president, José Antonio Kast. Lula did not go to the event. The event brought together leaders and authorities from different countries in the region. The Brazilian government chose to send the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, who officially represented Brazil at the ceremony.
During his inauguration in Chile, the Bolivian president once again defended greater integration between Latin American countries and highlighted the importance of projects that connect the region’s economies. According to him, cooperation between South American countries can expand trade opportunities, strengthen production chains and encourage investments in infrastructure.
The official visit to Brasília should also include meetings with members of the Brazilian delegation and representatives of the business sector. According to information released by the government, Rodrigo Paz is coming to Brazil accompanied by businesspeople interested in discussing business opportunities and joint investments.
For Brazilian diplomacy, the meeting represents an opportunity to deepen the strategic partnership with Bolivia, considered a key country for the logistical and energy integration of South America. In addition to sharing an extensive land border with Brazil, Bolivia occupies a central geographic position on the continent, a factor that can facilitate connection projects between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
