Brazil’s Lula Calls Latin America ‘Peace Zone And Criticizes Interventions

By Andreia Verdelio

On Monday (Oct. 20), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defended Latin America’s sovereignty and argued that maintaining the region as a “peace zone” is a priority. In the morning, he received credentials from 28 new ambassadors to Brazil. In a brief speech, he also criticized interventions by countries outside the region.

“We are a continent free of weapons of mass destruction, with no ethnic or religious conflicts. Foreign intervention can cause more damage than it seeks to prevent,” he told foreign diplomats.

According to the president, the region is going through “a period of growing polarization and instability.”

“You will be treated by Itamaraty [Brazil’s Foreign Ministry] and receive its attention as if you had been our friends for many years, because we wan