All Smiles in Brasilia as Macri and Bolsonaro Reset Relationship
- Argentine president on official visit after awkward start
- Leaders stressed agreement on Mercosur, Venezuela, extradition
Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's president, gives a thumbs up sign while shaking hands with Mauricio Macri, Argentina's president, left, before a joint news conference at Planalto Palace in Brasilia, on Jan. 16.
Photographer: Andre Coelho/BloombergSouth America’s two largest countries are more united than ever, Argentine President Mauricio Macri declared during an official visit to Brasilia that sought to reset relations with President Jair Bolsonaro after an awkward start.
Warm speeches from both sides sought to leave behind the initial tension in their relationship. Macri’s absence from Bolsonaro’s inauguration on Jan. 1 did not go unnoticed by Brasilia, while Brazilian Finance Minister Paulo Guedes’ insistence that the Mercosur customs union was not one of his priorities also riled Argentine officials. But that appeared to be forgotten as the two presidents discussed boosting trade, fighting crime and nuclear energy.