Brazil's institutions 'durable' enough to withstand crisis: US

[WASHINGTON] The United States expressed confidence in Brazil Thursday, saying it was strong enough to withstand political turmoil in the wake of President Dilma Rousseff's suspension from office to face an impeachment trial.

"We intend to respect the government institutions and traditions and procedures," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.

He said Brazil's institutions are "sufficiently mature and durable to withstand the political turmoil."

Ms Rousseff ceded power to her vice president Michel Temer Thursday after the Brazilian Senate voted overwhelmingly to suspend Ms Rousseff for six months to face impeachment.

The 55-22 vote effectively ended 13 years of leftist rule in Latin America's largest country, brought down amid a deep economic crisis and a still unfolding corruption scandal centered on the state oil giant Petrobras.

Mr Temer, who turned against Ms Rousseff to support her impeachment, moved quickly to name a business-friendly cabinet.

AFP