Lula backs Latin American bid for UN, criticizes arbitrary tariffs
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called on Latin American and Caribbean countries to unite behind a sole female candidate from the region for the post of UN Secretary-General. The appeal was made during the 9th Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) on Wednesday (Apr. 9) in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
“Celac can contribute to restoring the credibility of the UN by electing the organization’s first woman Secretary-General,” said Lula. Brazil has suggested a special declaration on the subject to be considered during the event.
The Celac meeting is taking place amid heightened regional tensions, driven by the US government’s tightening of immigration policies under President Donald Trump and the tariff war launched by the White House.
"Freedom and self-determination become the first victims in a world devoid of multilaterally agreed rules. Immigrants are criminalized and subjected to inhumane deportations, while arbitrary tariffs destabilize the global economy and inflate prices," President Lula stated.
“The stronger and more united our economies become, the better we will be protected against unilateral actions,” he added.
The Brazilian president’s speech was followed by several heads of government in attendance. Celac brings together 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries.
“I believe that today, more than ever, is a good time to recognize that Latin America and the Caribbean require solidarity and unity from their governments and their peoples in order to strengthen greater regional integration, always within the framework of mutual respect and adherence to the sovereignty and independence of our countries and the trade agreements that each one may have,” said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
“There is a proposed agenda for isolation and a proposed agenda for collective . The choice of priority is ours. The agenda of isolation is defined by only two issues: immigration and blockades. The agenda of collective is more complex, more challenging, but far more beneficial for everyone here,” said Colombian leader Gustavo Petro.
After the summit, Lula returned to Brazil, landing in Brasília at dawn on Thursday (10).
