President Lula (PT) interrupted his speech during the inauguration of the new integration bridge between Brazil and Paraguay, in Foz do Iguaçu, after a breakdown of the audio system and left the stage, closing the ceremony earlier than expected.
“For us, Brazilians and Paraguayans, it is about growing both economies. While, as Renan (Filho, Minister of Transport) said, there is a president who wants to build a wall (…), there are people who want to wage war to prevent others from siding with them, we here, Latin Americans, South Americans, Paraguayans and Brazilians, we…”, he said, his speech being interrupted by the microphone being cut off.
In total, Lula’s speech lasted less than 10 minutes. Previously, the Chief Executive gave a historical overview of the construction of the bridge that will connect Foz do Iguaçu (PR) to the Paraguayan city Presidente Franco. The process has been going on for over 30 years and the bridge was already completed, but lay unused for three years due to lack of customs and road access.
Several ministers were also present at the ceremony, including Renan Filho (Transport) and Fernando Haddad (Finance), and their deputies, as well as the Brazilian general director of Itaipu, Enio Verri.
The president of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, did not attend the event. According to Lula, he was unable to attend the inauguration organized by the Brazilians due to a family problem in Asunción.
On the Brazilian side, new customs and access points will also be open, authorized by the DNIT (National Department of Transport Infrastructure) and the Federal Highway Police.
The integration bridge included resources from the new PAC (Growth Acceleration Program) and an investment of 1.9 billion reais from both countries. It was financed by Itaipu, through an institutional agreement involving the Brazilian Government, DNIT and the Government of Paraná.
As the Panel’s column showed, the inauguration of the road placed Paraná Governor Ratinho Jr. (PSD), a pre-presidential candidate, and the Lula government in opposing camps, due to work on the Eastern Ring Road – approximately 15 km connecting the BR-277 and the new bridge.
With a total length of 760 meters, the works will absorb truck traffic and relieve pressure on the Friendship Bridge. The flow of vehicles will be released gradually, only for trucks unloaded in both directions in a first phase.
Today, around 400 unloaded trucks pass daily over the Friendship Bridge, until now the only existing road connection between Brazil and Paraguay on the triple border (Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina).
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