Silveira says Brazil will not have shortages if war persists

The Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, stated this Thursday (22) that Brazil should not face fuel shortages if the conflict between the USA and Iran continues, although he recognizes that the country could suffer economic consequences from the conflict.

"This is a problem that Brazil did not create. It was not President Lula who created it. It was another leader who created it", said Silveira during his participation in the Esfera Forum, in reference to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, without mentioning him by name.

According to the minister, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had already expressed this position directly to the American leader, defending the sovereignty of other countries, "including Cuba".

Silveira stated that Brazil has more favorable structural conditions than other countries to face impacts on the energy sector due to the war. "We have a very strong energy matrix. We are even oil exporters," he said.

The minister highlighted that Brazil imports around 20% of the diesel consumed domestically and approximately 13% of the gasoline.

Despite this, he recognized that the country could suffer indirect effects resulting from conflict and international economic turmoil. "Now, consequences of the war and economic consequences...", he stated, also mentioning measures adopted by the government to mitigate impacts on fuels.

Source: CNN