Trump congratulates Brazil’s Bolsonaro on inauguration: ‘The U.S.A. is with you’

President Trump on Tuesday congratulated Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro after the right-wing politician was sworn in for his first term in office.

Trump praised Bolsonaro, known as the “Trump of the Tropics,” for his inauguration speech, tweeting to the new president that “the U.S.A. is with you!”

Congratulations to President @JairBolsonaro who just made a great inauguration speech – the U.S.A. is with you!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2019 

{mosads}Bolsonaro responded via Twitter a short time later, thanking Trump for his “words of encouragement.” 

“Together, under God’s protection, we shall bring prosperity and progress to our people!” Bolsonaro tweeted.

Dear Mr. President @realDonalTrump, I truly appreciate your words of encouragement. Together, under God’s protection, we shall bring prosperity and progress to our people! https://t.co/dplAFNJGdA

— Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) January 1, 2019

The former military officer was inaugurated on Tuesday after winning a surprising victory in last October’s election.

He has vowed to stamp out crime and corruption and improve Brazil’s economy. The Wall Street Journal reported that he hit on those themes in his inauguration speech, which was boycotted by several left-wing politicians.

The ceremonies reportedly had heightened security at Bolsonaro’s request. He was stabbed at a campaign rally in September.

Bolsonaro’s election has ginned up concern among international watchdogs after he praised Brazil’s old military dictatorship and made derisive comments about minorities and members of the LGBTQ community during the campaign.

Bolsonaro has also followed a common Trump theme by criticizing the press as “fake news.”

Trump and Bolsonaro have exchanged congratulations and praise on social media, and expressed a desire to collaborate on trade and military issues.

Experts said following Bolsonaro’s election that the two leaders are likely to find common ground on foreign policy issues related to Israel and Venezuela. 

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo led a delegation of U.S. officials who attended Tuesday’s proceedings in Brazil.