If it were not for Maduro not being mentioned when mentioning the progressive governments in South America

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva did not mention the Nicolas Maduro administration in Venezuela when he referred to governments he considers progressive in South America.

Lula said this in Porto Alegre, during an event in which he presented details of planned investments in Rio Grande do Sul under the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC).

Stating that politics is “currently mediocre”, the president criticized the far right and cited Gabriel Boric (Chile), Gustavo Petro (Colombia), and Luis Arce (Bolivia) as the region's remaining progressives.

How humble politics is these days. I had the pleasure of being president in 2008, when South America had 10 progressive presidents. …What is the abbreviation for South America Today? If I want to convene a meeting of progressive governments, there is only Arce from Bolivia, other than the comrade from Colombia. [Petro] And Boric in Chile. “Progressivism is over,” Lula said.

The Labor Party member also praised European politicians, such as former French President Jacques Chirac, and former Prime Ministers of England Tony Blair and Germany's Gerhard Schroeder.

“They were people of political status that gave a certain dimension to the art called politics,” Lula declared.

Venezuela has set a date for holding elections on July 28. Current President Nicolas Maduro, Hugo Chavez's political successor, is expected to run for re-election.

The Supreme Court of Justice, allied with Maduro, ruled out the possible candidacy of Maria Corina Machado, who is today the main opposition politician in the Caribbean country.

In his speech on Friday, Lula did not comment on the elections in Venezuela. Last week, the president said he could not “judge doubts” about the fairness of the conflict before the election.

Lula stated, at the time, that Maduro informed him that observers from “the whole world” would be summoned to monitor the votes.

Lula has stated on more than one occasion that democracy is “in danger” in the world due to the actions of the extreme right and stressed the need to convey this understanding to young people.

“We have a duty to say this to our young people, who are often very myopic. It is often easier for us to oppose it than to think, because you don't have to think nonsense, you say it,” the Labor MP said.

Lula once again defended the Brazilian player Vinicius Junior, the victim of racist acts committed by Atletico Madrid fans, who described the Real Madrid athlete as a chimpanzee.

Lula said: “We saw what happened to Vinny Junior in the Atletico Madrid match. These bigots and sick people must realize that when they see a black person, he is a human being who exists regardless of his color.”