US Secretary of State Antony Blinken left for Brazil and Argentina on Tuesday (20/2) morning. He will hold talks and foster relations with independent-minded leaders from the two countries, as well as attend a meeting of Group of 20 (G20) foreign ministers in Rio de Janeiro.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is also expected to attend the G20 meeting, making it likely he and Blinken will meet face-to-face, which is rare between the two.
This is Blinken's first visit to Brazil and Argentina as US secretary of state. Blinken will meet Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia and newly installed Argentine President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires to discuss bilateral and global issues.
The State Department said Blinken would emphasize U.S. support for Brazil's presidency of the G20, the U.S.-Brazil Partnership for Worker Rights, cooperation on the green energy transition, and the 200th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Blinken also plans to discuss the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti with G20 partners on the sidelines of the meeting, responding to the Haitian people's request for help to restore security and stability in their country.
Argentina has one of the largest Jewish populations in South America. Following Milei's recent visit to Israel, a senior US official said Blinken would engage in discussions with Milei regarding “the path forward between Israel and Gaza.” Other topics high on the agenda are essential minerals and sustainable economic growth.
The G20, consisting of 19 countries including the G7, the European Union, and the African Union, represents approximately 85% of global GDP, 75% of global trade, and two-thirds of the global population. (ka/hour)