Overview
- At a summit in Brasília, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva warned that non‑nuclear South American countries must prepare their defenses because they could be invaded any day.
- Lula and Cyril Ramaphosa called for an immediate ceasefire to end the conflict surrounding Iran and urged a return to negotiations.
- Lula criticized recent U.S. military action involving Iran and linked it to higher oil prices and broader economic fallout.
- The leaders announced cooperation in the defense industry and broader plans to produce together, with Lula saying Brazil prefers to build rather than buy from arms merchants.
- Both presidents signed agreements to deepen ties in tourism, trade, investment and culture, and Ramaphosa cast South Africa as Brazil’s entry to Africa and Brazil as South Africa’s gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean.