Patriota resigns after Bolivian opposition leader escapes to Brazil

Criado em 27/08/13 09h36 e atualizado em 27/08/13 10h30
Por Renata Giraldi Edição:s Fonte:Agência Brasil

Brasília – After serving two years and eight months as Brazil's Minister of Foreign Relations, Antonio Patriota, has resigned to become the new Brazilian representative to the United Nations (UN). The current Brazilian ambassador to the UN, Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado, is the new minister.

Patriota's resignation was sparked by a diplomatic crisis after the Bolivian opposition leader, senator Roger Pinto Molina, was spirited out of the Brazilian embassy in La Paz and driven by car across the border into Brazil. It seems Roger Pinto's journey to asylum in Brazil was assisted by a Brazilian diplomat without the ministry or the minister knowing anything about the operation. Roger Pinto has accused the government of Evo Morales of corruption and drug dealing. The Evo Morales government accuses Roger Pinto of more than a dozen crimes, including corruption. The Bolivian politician took refuge in the Brazilian embassy 15 months ago. Brazil granted him political asylum almost immediately, but the Bolivian government refused to grant him safe conduct documents so he could leave the country..

Recognized as a skilled negotiator, Patriota stood out for his resolute handling of the tense situation with Washington after systematic espionage on Brazilian citizens by United States intelligence agencies was recently made public. He demanded clarifications from the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, who visited Brazil a week ago. Patriota urged US authorities to stop the surveillance activities.

As a career diplomat, Patriota has also served at Brazil's permanent mission in international organizations based in Geneva, Switzerland (1999-2003). For two years, he served as a representative with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and was also a member of the Brazilian delegation to the UN Security Council (1994-1999).

Editors: Carolina Pimentel / Nira Foster
Translator:Allen Bennett / Mayra Borges