Wilson Center Hosts Discussion on US-Brazil Relations

WASHINGTON — The new Brazilian ambassador to the United States, Maria Luiza Viotti, used her first public appearance in her new role to outline a vision of stability and peace, as well as her nation’s commitment to addressing global issues like climate change.

Speaking at the Wilson Center on Tuesday, Viotti was joined in the discussion by Anthony Harrington, a former U.S. ambassador to Brazil and founding principal of the Albright Stonebridge Group that, according to its website, is a “global strategic advisory and commercial diplomacy firm.”

Viotti, whose nomination to her new post was confirmed in May, is the first woman to ever lead the Brazilian Embassy here.

She began her diplomatic career in 1976 and holds a master’s degree in Economics from the University of Brasília.

She has held several positions in Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including director of the Department of Human Rights and Social Issues; and director of the Department of International Organization.

Viotti has also held a number of diplomatic positions outside her country including counselor at the Brazilian Embassy in Bolivia; permanent representative ambassador to the United Nations; and Brazilian ambassador to Germany. 

Between 2017 and 2022, Viotti also headed the office of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

Brazil’s embassy in the U.S. is that nation’s largest diplomatic post and is considered to be of high importance due to the number of issues it is asked to address in any given year.

As previously reported by The Well News, Brazil has seen more than its fair share of political upheaval since its 2022 elections, in which President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva narrowly defeated former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. 

Following Lula’s inauguration in 2023, Bolsonaro’s supporters stormed the presidential palace, Congress and the Supreme Court in Brazil, demanding the military take control of Brazil’s government, which did not happen.

On Feb. 10, 2023, President Joe Biden and Lula met to discuss the goals of the two countries moving forward, specifically focusing on strengthening democracy and human rights as well as fighting the climate crisis, which are points Viotti echoed in the discussion on Tuesday. 

“Brazil is seeking to contribute more stability and peace,” Viotti said. “We are also very keen to contribute to the efforts going on regarding climate change, which we believe is one of the most important challenges we face nowadays.” 

Brazil has faced numerous encroachments on the freedom of speech including Brazilian authorities granting the nation’s election chief the ability to force tech companies to take down posts deemed as misinformation prior to the 2022 elections, which was an action that significantly concerned free speech advocates. 

When asked about Brazil’s commitment to the right of free expression, Viotti responded, “We are very committed to core human rights and the freedom of expression. I think that there is an ongoing debate in Brazil, which also reflects on legislation in Congress on how best to ensure respectful freedom of expression and at the same time protect a number of rights.”

Viotti continued, “We would very much like to lead with U.S. partners in order to better understand what’s happening here. I think this is an area in which we are going to work to try to promote those dialogues.”

Moving forward after a tumultuous election season, Viotti stated that Brazil is ready to move forward and prioritize “strengthening bilateral relations with the [United States] in a complex international landscape marked by increased tension and uncertainty.”

Viotti concluded, “I feel that I arrived in Washington at a promising moment for Brazil-U.S. relations. The meeting between President Lula and President Biden was very productive and very warm, and both presidents set the tone and priorities for our work going forward. Democracy, human rights, climate change, and sustainable development are at the center of our agenda.”

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