February 17, 2006
Brazil praises ties with Caracas following US harangue

(El Universal) - "Brazil praised its 'excellent relations' with Venezuela, in the wake of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's call upon the international community to create a 'united front' against President Hugo Chávez.

'Brazil has had excellent relations with Venezuela in the last few years,' said to AFP a spokesman for the Brazilian Foreign Affairs Ministry's press office when asked about Rice's comments.

Examples of such good bilateral ties are 'frequent meetings' between Brazilian ruler Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Chávez, as well as the recent 'entry of Venezuela into the Southern Common Market (Mercosur,)' said the spokesperson.

'This shows the high level of our relations' with Venezuela. The spokesman added that Venezuela 'has a major role in the South American community of nations.'

Rice claimed that Chávez posed 'a threat against democracy' and a 'danger' for the region because of his ties with Cuban President Fidel Castro.

She added that she addressed Chávez' issue with several regional officials, including Brazilian Foreign Affairs minister Celso Amorim. The Brazilian spokesman said Amorim was not available for comments, as he is visiting Peru".