President Obama told an energetic crowd in Rio de Janiero Sunday that Brazil could inspire people in Libya and other Middle Eastern countries by standing as an example of a dictatorship that became a successful democracy. “Let us stand together,” Obama said. “Not as senior and junior partners, but as equal partners.” The president spoke at the end of a trip to Brazil aimed at strengthening U.S. ties with South America’s burgeoning economic power. He highlighted a host of areas in which the U.S. and Brazil can collaborate, including student exchanges, cooperation between scientists and researchers, support for clean-energy programs, and fighting against drug traffickers. Rio de Janiero will host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics.
