Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva AndColombian President Alvaro Uribe
From Bloomberg:
July 17 (Bloomberg) -- Brazil and Colombia plan to sign a defense accord to share military information, promote the sale of weapons and conduct more joint training exercises, a Colombian diplomat taking part in the negotiations said.
The nine-page agreement, a draft copy of which was given to Bloomberg News, will be signed as early as this weekend when Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva travels to Colombia tomorrow for two days of meetings with his Colombian counterpart Alvaro Uribe, the diplomat said. He spoke on the condition that he not be identified because the plan hasn't been made public.
The initiative, which is being led by Brazil, would facilitate surveillance of the mostly lawless, 1,661-kilometer shared Amazon border, a transit zone for drug traffickers and guerrillas. It may curb the regional influence of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who threatened war with Colombia in retaliation for its attack on a guerrilla camp in Ecuador.
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More News On This Security Pact Between Brazil And Colombia
Brazil and Colombia agree to joint Amazon border surveillance -- Merco PressView: The anti-Chávez axis -- Daily Times
Brasil President to Visit Colombia -- Escambray
Lula to talk FARC, defense council with Colombia's Uribe -- Focus
My Comment: While the U.S. is the elephant in the room when it comes to Latin American affairs, Brazil is the 800 lb. gorilla.
Brazil is preparing to play a role in hemispheric security affairs. Countries who oppose Venezuela's influence will be forming these alliances sooner than we think. This alliance between Colombia and Brazil is probably the first of many.
This is a good and strategic development for hemispheric security and peace.
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