“Divided, we are fragile”, says Lula when defending integration in AL

Lula condemns ‘neocolonial’ actions and defends Latin American unity above divergences

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva opened the International Economic Forum – Latin America and the Caribbean 2026, this Wednesday (28/1), in Panama City.

In his speech, Lula stated that the region needs to unite, overcoming political differences, to form a bloc capable of facing the challenges of the contemporary international framework, in which interventionist threats and the use of military force are real threats.

“Latin America and the Caribbean are unique. It is up to us to assume that possible integration is based on a plurality of options. Guided by pragmatism, we can overcome ideological differences and build solid and positive partnerships within and outside the region. This is the only doctrine that suits us. Remaining divided makes us all more fragile”, said Lula, to applause.

President Lula condemned intervention actions in Latin America and the Caribbean, without directly mentioning the episodes of invasion of Venezuela by the United States or the desire already expressed by the American government to control the Panama Canal.

“History shows that the use of force will never pave the way to overcome the ills that afflict this hemisphere that belongs to all of us. The division of the world into zones of influence and neocolonial attacks for strategic resources constitute anachronistic gestures and historical setbacks”, said the president.

Then, Lula praised the retrospective of the mandates of Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945), former president of the United States. In his speech, he seemed to suggest to the United States a new way of conducting foreign policy and relations with Latin America and the Caribbean. A meeting between Lula and Donald Trump is expected at the beginning of March.

“President Franklin Roosevelt implemented a good neighbor policy that aimed to replace military intervention with diplomacy in his foreign policy towards Latin America and the Caribbean. Roosevelt also argued that we should build a world based on what he called four fundamental freedoms for the defense of democracy and human rights.”

Lula then highlighted the four fundamental freedoms:

“First: freedom of expression, in which everyone can express their opinions freely, without manipulation of data and information, as we see today on digital networks. Freedom of worship: in which everyone can profess their faith without being persecuted. Freedom from deprivation: in which everyone has the right to a dignified life, including access to food, housing and work. And freedom from fear: in which disarmament would limit the use of force and aggression between nations.”

“For Brazil, the only war we need to fight in this part of the world is against hunger and inequality. And the only weapons to employ are investments, technology transfer and fair and balanced trade”, he stated, to applause.

Originally published by Agência Gov on 01/28/2026