Lula attends the closing of the 46th Summit of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) as a special guest.
Where is the border between Brazil and the territory in Guyana coveted by Venezuela?
The bloc consists of 20 Caribbean countries, 15 of which are member states and 5 are associated states. One of his priorities on the Brazilian president's foreign policy agenda is the integration of Latin American countries as well as dialogue with neighboring countries such as the Caribbean.
Lula's visit to the country also comes against the backdrop of the Venezuelan offensive to bring the Essequibo region, now Guyanese territory, under Venezuelan control. Venezuela claims to be the legal owner of the region, a 160squarekilometer stretch that makes up about 70% of all of Guyana and crosses six of the country's 10 states.
1 of 2 Infographic shows what the border looks like between Brazil and Essequibo, a region of Guyana that Venezuela wants to annex. — Photo: Editoria de Arte/g1 Infographic shows what the border looks like between Brazil and Essequibo, a region of Guyana that Venezuela wants to annex. — Photo: Editoria de Arte/g1
Lula is expected to meet with Venezuelan Prime Minister Nicolás Maduro in Kingstown, the capital of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where he will travel following his agenda in Guyana. The country will host the Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac).
According to Minister Elio Cardoso, Director of the Department of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE), President Lula's participation as a guest at the Caricom Summit represents the recovery of Brazil's importance as a regional leader and can help show how the Goals and concerns of the countries are consistent with the themes chosen by Brazil for the G20 presidency.
“There is a thematic coincidence. The issue of food security is of great importance to the Caribbean, for example, as it imports the majority of the food it consumes around 80%. There is also the problem of climate change. It is a region very vulnerable to the effects of climate. “It is an opportune time to talk about these issues and President Lula has been invited to talk about them,” the minister explained.
In Georgetown, the president will also meet Guyana's President Irfaan Ali on a state visit aimed at cementing an increasingly comprehensive trade relationship.
2 of 2 Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, and Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela Photo: Federico Parra, Keno George/ AFP Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, and Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela Photo: Federico Parra, Keno George/ AFP
According to the Brazilian government, the meeting will address issues such as sustainable development, food and nutritional security and will give new impetus to Brazil's relations with Caribbean countries. Guyana will chair the organization for the first half of 2024.