South Africa should work more closely with Latin American countries and stop buying foreign arms, President Lula da Silva said.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has called on fellow BRICS member South Africa to increase defense cooperation and reduce dependence on foreign arms, warning that the two nations could become vulnerable. “Invasion.”
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly labeled the BRICS countries “Anti-American” As for the group of emerging economies, it does not appear to be competing with or confronting any other bloc.
Speaking to reporters during South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to Brasilia on Monday, Lula said both countries need to prepare for potential threats.
“I don’t know if Comrade Ramaphosa realizes that if we don’t prepare ourselves in terms of defence, one day someone will attack us.,” he said.
Lula’s remarks come amid continued US-Israeli attacks on fellow BRICS member Iran. Iranian media reported that a new wave of attacks on Tehran on Tuesday killed at least 40 people, but officials put the overall death toll at more than 1,300, most of them civilians.
Lula urged defense industry cooperation between Brazil and South Africa and called for a reduction in dependence on foreign arms suppliers.
“We have to combine our strengths and see what we can produce together, build together. We don’t need to buy from foreign arms suppliers,” he said.
Ramaphosa said Brazil “more advanced” than South Africa in defense and aviation.
“We have a lot to learn and a lot to show each other,” he added.
Both Lula and Ramaphosa have publicly condemned US and Israeli military action against Iran, calling for an immediate ceasefire and a negotiated solution to the conflict.
Lula has criticized US actions in Latin America, saying Washington has crossed the line “An Unacceptable Line” with its attack on Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro.
Regional tensions have been rising in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean following US military attacks on alleged drug-trafficking boats along with the US-imposed oil embargo on Cuba. On Saturday, Trump offered Latin American leaders US missile support to target top drug cartel figures.
Established in 2006 as a forum of major emerging economies, BRICS now comprises ten members – Brazil, China, India, Russia, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
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