Let me first say up front: I am a big cheerleader for Brazil, its people, its culture, its economy and the growing chorus in support of its increasing role as regional power. In keeping with this stance, a couple of things have recently caught my eye.
First, a Newsweek interview with Lula published last weekend, in which he states the following:
Newsweek: Mercosur allows only full democracies that respect human rights as members. Does Venezuela qualify?
Lula: Give me one example of how Venezuela is undemocratic.
Newsweek: Thirty-four radio stations closed by the government in one weekend. Repression of trade unions and persecution of political rivals.
Lula: Let's be frank. Each country establishes the democratic regime that suits its people. It's a sovereign decision of every nation. And remember that [Hugo] Chávez was the victim of a coup. He also was tested in four elections. Right or wrong, the Venezuelan people will judge.
Newsweek: As Brazil takes on a larger international role, many people are wondering why Brazil remains so silent about countries whose regimes are not democratic.
Lula: If we look at human rights literally, then all nations commit errors, including the U.S. Where are the human rights at Guantánamo? Only peace and democracy can guarantee the economic growth needed to better the lives of the poor. People ask me, Lula, are you a leader in Latin America? No one chose me to be leader. But I am absolutely certain that Brazil's relations with Latin America have never been so clear and honest. When Paraguay gets upset at Brazil, I have to understand and not be aggressive. Brazil has far more power and wealth. It's like the relationship of a father and son. That's how big countries have to act.
This is an unfortunate stance for Lula to take for a couple of reasons. First, it suggests that two wrongs make a right. Second, it lays bare the divisions within the country toward how Venezuela should be viewed, as evidenced by my post at the beginning of this week on this very topic.
Next, Bloomberg's Alexandre Marinis pulls no punches in his blame of Lula and Hugo for continued instability in Honduras:
Chavez and Lula engaged in wise-guy diplomacy. Their actions violated international laws by helping Zelaya enter the country illegally. And they disrupted the economy of Central America's second-poorest country, which was already reeling from the global economic crisis.
Besides acting unethically, the two Latin leaders showed they aren't serious diplomats. We'll see if this inaugurates a new era in which Brazil and Venezuela throw their weight around and increasingly interfere with their neighbors' politics. If so, they will resemble the U.S., which Latin leaders have long criticized for butting into the region's internal affairs by propping up or taking out national leaders.
Marinis may have a point, but I have a hunch that Lula is going to come out of all this decidedly less tarnished than Hugo...
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