SAO PAULO, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Paraguay's decision to allow a temporary U.S. military presence in the country is concerning, according to Celso Amorim, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's chief foreign policy advisor.
In an interview with the newspaper Valor Economico released on Monday, Amorim recommended that Brazil increase its defense budget as the regional outlook has become more worrisome given the possibility of U.S. ground operations in Latin American countries, some of which are close to Brazil's borders.
The advisor said the rapprochement between Washington and Asuncion poses a potential risk of expanded U.S. military operations in South America.
Concerns have grown, particularly following the U.S. military invasion of Venezuela in January to forcibly seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who is currently imprisoned in New York and facing trial in a U.S. court.
Amorim said he supported Lula's position on strengthening the country's defense capabilities and increasing military spending.
"Brazil cannot spend 1 percent of GDP on defense while it is one of the largest countries in the world," he said.
Brazil should not adopt a confrontational stance toward the United States, but it should establish clear limits in its bilateral relationship, said the advisor. ■
