Vice President Hamilton Mourão said on Wednesday (20) that he did not expect any changes in relations between Brazil and the United States with the start of the tenure of American Joe Biden, who took his duties this afternoon as chairman. Mourão said the American democratic model is a “beacon” for the Western world
The presidents of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, respectively Rodrigo Maia (DEM-RJ) and Davi Alcolumbre (DEM-AP), also congratulated Biden and vice Kamala Harris. Maia said he expected a union to curb radicalism.
President Jair Bolsonaro (non-party), for his part, has not yet spoken. Bolsonaro was slow to acknowledge the Democratic candidate’s victory in the election and has repeatedly questioned the fluidity of the process.
The president participated in a military ceremony at Brasília air base, but did not comment on the possibility of a new US president.
Biden and MP Kamala Harris take office this afternoon (Brasilia time) in a more modest and lesser ceremony, due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The event is also taking place under tight security, following the invasion of the Capitol by activists under pressure from former President Donald Trump in the early days of the month.
Arriving at the seat of the vice-presidency, Mourão highlighted the historic relations between Brazil and the United States and stressed that the Americans will continue to be a democratic model which is a “beacon” for the Western world.
“The Brazil-US relationship is a relationship that has lasted since our independence, it is a state-to-state relationship and, in this way, it will continue. It is an important business partner, it is an important technology partner. United, the American democratic model, is a beacon for the western world and, in this way, it will continue, ”said the vice president.
The President of the Chamber of Deputies, Rodrigo Maia (DEM-RJ) congratulated American Joe Biden on Wednesday (20) on his inauguration as President of the United States and called for union to fight radicalism
“On behalf of the House of Representatives, I salute United States President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for taking office today,” Maia wrote on her social media.
“That the two nations act together in favor of strengthening democracy, the fight against radicalism and the protection of the environment.”
Environmental issues were the subject of disagreements between then-Democratic candidate Joe Biden and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (non-party).
Biden has criticized the current government’s environmental policy. In addition, he appointed Juan Gonzalez to the post of Senior Director for the Western Hemisphere at the National Security Council – meaning he will be responsible for issues related to Latin America.
Gonzalez criticizes the environmental agenda of the Jair Bolsonaro government (without a party), and the candidate’s previous statements show that the issue may lead to conflict in relations between the United States and Brazil.
Besides Maia, Senate President Davi Alcolumbre (DEM-AP) also used his social media to congratulate the US president and also said he hoped the two countries could maintain an open dialogue.
“On behalf of the Brazilian parliament, I salute and wish the President of the United States, Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris every success. May our countries keep open the channels of dialogue and understanding, always seeking a balance, ”wrote Alcolumbre.