Trump to host Brazil’s Bolsonaro at White House this month

President Trump will host Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro at the White House later this month to discuss a range of issues, including “restoring democracy in Venezuela.”

{mosads}The White House said the March 19 meeting will focus on “how to build a more prosperous, secure, and democratic Western Hemisphere.”

The two leaders will also discuss “opportunities for defense cooperation, pro-growth trade policies, combatting transnational crime, and restoring democracy in Venezuela,” according to the White House statement. 

Trump has already expressed optimism about working with the controversial Latin American leader.

“Had a very good conversation with the newly elected President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, who won his race by a substantial margin. We agreed that Brazil and the United States will work closely together on Trade, Military and everything else! Excellent call, wished him congrats!,” Trump tweeted shortly after his election.

Had a very good conversation with the newly elected President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, who won his race by a substantial margin. We agreed that Brazil and the United States will work closely together on Trade, Military and everything else! Excellent call, wished him congrats!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 29, 2018

Bolsonaro’s populist policies have led many to draw parallels between him and Trump, earning him the nickname “Trump of the Tropics.”

He’s raised eyebrows for praising Brazil’s former military dictatorship, advocating for torture, threatening to jail political opponents, and criticizing women and the LGBTQ community.

He defeated his left-wing opponent by about 10 points in October by tapping into widespread public resentment against the political establishment and casting himself as the outsider candidate.

Brazil was reeling from a recession and government corruption scandal when he was elected.