Secretary Velasco Concludes Visit to Brazil, Strengthening Political Dialogue and Expanding Bilateral Cooperation

• "Our countries are experiencing a closeness that has not been achieved in many decades. We are aligned and share a cultural affinity that allows us to grow much closer; if we work together, we will gain a great deal at the geopolitical level," said the Secretary.

The Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Roberto Velasco Álvarez, today concluded a productive visit to Brazil, at the invitation of Mauro Vieira, Brazil's Minister of Foreign Affairs, with whom he agreed to strengthen political dialogue and expand bilateral cooperation in various strategic fields.

During his visit to Brasília, and ahead of the plenary session of the 6th Mexico-Brazil Binational Commission, Secretary Velasco paid a courtesy visit to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, thanking him for the warm welcome and conveying an affectionate greeting from President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.

At the Planalto Palace, Secretary Velasco said that President Sheinbaum attaches the greatest importance to strengthening the ties of friendship, dialogue, and cooperation with Brazil and with President Lula da Silva's government, adding that the relationship is currently at one of its best moments.

Secretary Velasco also met with Minister Vieira, with whom he discussed the main issues in the bilateral relationship and exchanged views on matters of shared interest on the regional and global agenda.

The two officials co-chaired the plenary session of the 6th Mexico-Brazil Binational Commission, the main forum for political dialogue and bilateral cooperation between the two countries. During the session, the five subcommittees on political, economic, multilateral, and educational, cultural, technical, and scientific cooperation matters presented the results of their work, along with an overview of the various high-level meetings held between the two countries.

Secretary Velasco thanked the Government of Brazil for agreeing to represent and protect Mexico's diplomatic interests in Peru. He added: "The closeness between Mexico and Brazil is no coincidence. We are the two largest economies in Latin America, and we defend shared principles such as sovereignty, development with social justice, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. We are also natural allies in building a more prosperous, just, and united region for our societies."

During his time in the Brazilian capital, Secretary Velasco also attended the Rio Branco Institute, Brazil's prestigious diplomatic academy, where he gave a talk on Mexico and its foreign policy toward Latin America. He later held a cordial meeting with the Mexican community, reiterating the Ministry's support and President Sheinbaum's explicit instruction that Mexican nationals abroad are the top priority of Mexican foreign policy.

The meeting, held at the Mexican Embassy, was also attended by Ambassador Carlos García de Alba and the Consuls General in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo - the latter joining remotely - and the launch of a virtual mental health hotline for the Mexican community living in Brazil was announced.

On Friday, in São Paulo, Latin America's industrial heartland, Secretary Velasco held a series of meetings with the Brazilian business sector to continue exploring investment opportunities and to reiterate the importance and opportunities offered by Plan México for the country's growth and development.

The meetings included the President of the São Paulo State Federation of Industries, Paulo Antonio Skaf, along with representatives of companies and business associations; executives from the aerospace company Embraer; and executives from Mexican firms and business chambers operating in Brazil. During his visit to São Paulo, Secretary Velasco also visited the Museum of Art, touring the exhibition Matter and Energy by Mexican artist Damián Ortega.

Secretary Velasco's visit reflects the strong momentum in the diplomatic relationship and the shared interest in strengthening ties with a strategic partner in the region.