Brazil's Lula to meet Biden before inauguration, close aide says

Brazil's President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is likely to meet US President Joe Biden before his government inauguration in January next year, his close aide and former Sao Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad said on Wednesday.

Lula would be formally invited next Monday, a source familiar with the matter said, during his meeting with two US envoys: national security adviser Jake Sullivan and the country's Latin America adviser, Juan Gonzalez.

The visit's date has not yet been decided, but it would take place before Christmas, the source added.

Biden was one of the first heads of state to congratulate Lula on his victory.

At the inauguration, however, the US government should be represented by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the source said.

Haddad said Lula has received several invitations, but, due to lack of time, he will likely only travel to the United States and Argentina before taking office.

(Reuters)