The president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva pushed the American government, indirectly, this Friday (19), by participating in the inauguration of a integration bridge between Brazil and Paraguayin Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná. In his speech, Lula mocked countries that are building walls as South Americans seek greater proximity to the continent.
“While there are people who want to build a wall so that people do not come to their country, while there are people who want to wage war so that others do not go to their side, we here, Latin Americans, want to tell the world that we are for peace,” said the PT member.
The message is a dig at the government of Donald Trumpwho was elected with one of his main promises being the construction of a wall between the American territory and Mexico.
Despite the Brazilian president’s enthusiasm, the event’s sound system broke down, angering Lula. Faced with the problem, Lula decided to leave the stage and go to the audience to speak directly to those present.
Who also participated in the ceremony was the Minister of the Secretariat of Institutional Relations, Gleisi Hoffmannwho once again criticized the approval of the bill (PL) of dosimetry. The proposal reduces the sentences of those involved in the January 8 coups. “It’s without amnesty and without dosimetry because we have to keep this as the past. There will never be a repeat of a coup against democracy,” Gleisi said.
Ponte had 1.9 billion reais in investments
The works, which included resources from the Growth Acceleration Program, benefited from an investment of 1.9 billion reais from both countries and will gradually free up traffic. In this first phase, for trucks unloaded in both directions.
The event, which takes place at the new Brazil-Paraguay customs facilities, marks the delivery of the second road link on the Paraná River between the two countries, six decades after the inauguration of the Friendship Bridge.
Today, the only road connection between the two countries in the region receives a daily flow of 100,000 people and 45,000 vehicles, according to the Federal Revenue Service.
The integration bridge is 760 meters long and has a clear height of 470 meters, the largest on the continent, in addition to two single lanes, each 3.6 meters wide.
The cable-stayed structure is supported by two 190 meter high towers, the equivalent of buildings of around 54 floors. The bridge connects Foz do Iguaçu to the Paraguayan city of Presidente Franco.
The functionality of the bridge is directly associated with a set of interventions on the Brazilian side, with emphasis on the eastern perimeter.
The new motorway reorganizes heavy goods vehicle traffic in the region, thus contributing to urban mobility and road safety. 14.7 kilometers long, the road connects BR-277 to the bridge, diverting truck traffic from the urban center of Foz do Iguaçu.
During the first week of operation, more than 10,000 vehicles were registered on the road. The works also include the construction of two new customs offices and six viaducts.
“The bridge will be an engine of prosperity for Foz do Iguaçu and the region. By optimizing the commercial and tourist flow, we not only provide modern infrastructure, but promote an urban reorganization that restores quality of life to the population”, underlined the Brazilian general director of Itaipu Binacional, Enio Verri.
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