Piñera Inauguration In Chile: Brazil’s Lula Da Silva Opts Out, But Uruguay’s Mujica To Attend

Written by Santiago Times Staff

Monday, 08 March 2010 05:05

U.S. to be represented by National Security Advisor Gen. Jones Reports from Sao Paulo this weekend confirmed that Brazil’s President Lula da Silva will not be attending the very austere March 11 ceremony in Valparaiso to swear in Chile’s new president Sebastian Piñera. Brazil government sources said da Silva had opted for an domestic agenda since the Chilean ceremony will be very simple and quick, and since da Silva already met with Mr. Piñera during the recent Group of Rio Mexico summit of Latin American and Caribbean leaders. The sources also noted that da Silva cut short his visit to Uruguay a week ago and flew to Chile to personally express Brazilian support to President Bachelet in the aftermath of the Feb. 27 earthquake. “For the moment” there’s no trip planned to Chile for President Lula da Silva, however once the situation is back to normal “it is certain the president will hold a bilateral meeting with Piñera in Santiago,” said government sources. A report from O Estado de Sao Paulo discarded “ideological differences” with conservative Piñera as the reason for Socialist da Silva’s absence from Santiago. Uruguayan president Jose Mujica, however, has confirmed he will to travel to Santiago not only for Piñera’s inauguration, but also to express the Uruguayan people’s “solidarity and support” to the people and government of Chile following its tragic earthquake. President Michelle Bachelet missed Mujica’s inauguration of in Montevideo on Monday, March 1, because of the earthquake. It will be President Mujica’s first foreign trip since taking office. In related news, the White House reported that National Security Advisor, General James L Jones will be representing President Obama at the Chilean inauguration ceremony. He will be accompanied among others by Russell C. Crandall, head of Andean Affairs and the National Security Council. Last week Secretary of State visited Chile where she met with outgoing President Michelle Bachelet and president elect Piñera. (Ed. Note: See related feature story about Clinton’s Latin American tour in today’s Santiago Times.)

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