Brazil Welcomes Iranian Warships

Between February 26 and March 4, two Iranian ships docked in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who took office in January, had previously vowed to deny Iran’s request to dock in Brazil.

In the past, those ships facilitated illegal trade and terrorist activities, and have also been sanctioned by the United States. Brazil is a sovereign nation, but we firmly believe those ships should not dock anywhere.
—Elizabeth Bagley, U.S. ambassador to Brazil

On February 10, the newly elected Lula traveled to Washington, D.C., to visit Joe Biden and secure important U.S. commitments. After this successful meeting, Lula reversed his decision on the Iranian vessels.

That Lula reversed course and embarrassed the U.S. in the process should come as no surprise. During his first term as president, from 2003 to 2010, he focused on strengthening ties with Russia and China. In 2010, the Lula administration refused to join the U.S. in sanctioning Iran.

The U.S. Monroe Doctrine, established in the early 1800s, holds that foreign powers intervening in the political affairs of the Americas are seen as hostile against the U.S. and are dealt with as such. Giving Iran a backdoor to the U.S. through Latin America, especially through a nation as large as Brazil, is a danger to the U.S.

Learn more: This is another phase of the ongoing economic siege of America. To better understand Brazil’s motives and its role in Bible prophecy, read “Latin America Under Attack” and “Preparing to Storm America’s Castle.”