Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has praised Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez at the inauguration of a new bridge that will link the two countries over the River Orinoco. Da Silva said on Monday that Chavez’s heart was in the right place. He continued, “For many years here in Venezuela there wasn’t a government that worried about the poor people as you have.”

Da Silva and Chavez are two of Latin America’s most influential leaders, and represent divergent faces of the continent’s move to the left. Chavez has pissed off Washington in the past by reaching out to the poor in America, and for calling George W. Bush “the devil”. Da Silva is hardly as outspoken as Chavez, and has thus maintained better relations with the US.

The bridge cost $1.2 billion to build, and is expected to significantly boost trade between the two countries. It is the second bridge to be built over the Orinoco. “I come to Venezuela today more convinced than when I came a few years ago that it was worth building an alliance between Brazil and Venezuela,” Da Silva said. “And you, Chavez, have shown that economic growth can be partnered with social justice.” Chavez said he would repay Da Silva’s visit if re-elected next month. “I will go to Brasilia on December 7, when I am re-elected, following Lula’s example,” Chavez said. Recent polls give Chavez a comfortable lead of 18-35 points over his US-backed rival.

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