The US saw Brazil's option to receive Iranian warships as "unfortunate", but recognized it as "a sovereign decision". So says Ricardo Zúniga, the main policy maker for Brazil under Joe Biden.
Deputy assistant secretary at the State Department and former consul in São Paulo, the diplomat claims that the Iranian regime "does not only act against its own people", but projects its influence beyond borders "in activities that are counterproductive to peace and international security".
Zúnica told Folha that he hopes Brazil will defend democracy and human rights in the dictatorships of Nicaragua and Venezuela.
He recognizes that President Lula may have interests that differ from those of the United States, but he claims that the countries have complex relations and that the idea is to strengthen ties with Brazil.
Translated by Cassy Dias