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Lula urges Obama to respect Latin America
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-17 11:14

RIO DE JANEIRO -- US President-elect Barack Obama needs to make "a gesture of transcendence towards Latin America" and respect the sovereignty and democracy of the region, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Friday.

Obama, who takes office next week, needs to maintain an egalitarian relationship with Latin America, Lula added.

Lula also defended Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Bolivian President Evo Morales' move to seek contact with Obama in order to improve their relations with the United States.

The Brazilian leader also called for the lifting of the US economic embargo against Cuba.

Latin America has learnt to watch over its poor population and live in democracy, and needs to be viewed from a development and investments angle without prejudice, he added.

Lula is currently in Venezuela for a meeting with President Hugo Chavez.