Lula Blames Rubio for US-Brazil Frictions, Says He Respects Trump
Brazil's Lula says Secretary of State Marco Rubio dislikes Brazil and Latin America, blaming him for recent US-Brazil tensions.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has attributed recent friction between Brasília and Washington to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while maintaining that his own relationship with President Donald Trump remains respectful.
Speaking at an event in São José dos Campos on Friday, Lula described Rubio as "either anti-Latin America or a frustrated Latin American." He further alleged that the top US diplomat "hates Cuba, hates Colombia, hates Brazil," and acts contrary to agreements reached with Trump.
Lula also noted Rubio's support for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, saying he had told Trump directly that Rubio "doesn't like Brazil."
The remarks come amid a diplomatic row this week. The United States revoked the visa of Brazil's ambassador to Washington after Brazil denied visas to two State Department officials ahead of October's elections, in which Lula faces Senator Flávio Bolsonaro.
Washington has also cited delays in approving US Ambassador nominee Daniel Perez, who has cleared the Senate but is still awaiting Brazilian authorization.