Statement of condolence – Marco Aurélio Garcia

The Workers’ Party (PT) deeply regrets the death of comrade Marco Aurelio Garcia this Wednesday (July 20th), victim of a fulminant heart attack at age 76. Marco Aurélio dedicated all his life to the political militancy, to socialism and to the party.

Marco Aurélio had been National President and Secretary of International Relations of PT, being a special figure in the construction of the party throughout its history. He had been also Municipal Secretary for Culture in Campinas (1989-1990) and São Paulo (2001-2002).

During 13 years he was the Special Advisor for International Affairs in the administrations of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff. In this period he stood out as one of the most important architects of Latin-American integration and of the expansion of Brazilian relations with African and BRICS countries. He decisively contributed to the Brazilian “active and bold foreign policy”.

He initiated his political career in the Student Movement and was exiled in Chile and France during the military dictatorship. He returned in 1979 and in the beginnings of the 80’s he joined the Workers’ Party. Currently he was member of the Curator Council of Perseu Abramo Foundation, where he contributed with reflections on the directions of national and international politics. He was retired Professor of History at the Campinas University (Unicamp)

In such a hard moment we extend our solidarity to the family and friends.

We are very sad with such a suddenly lost of our comrade and friend. PT and Brazil will miss him.

Gleisi Hoffmann
National President
Workers’ Party