Brasília, February 26, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The president of the Chamber of Deputies, João Paulo Cunha (PT-SP), will become acting President of the Republic during President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's trip to Caracas. Vice-President José Alencar is prevented from assuming the position for health reasons, as he explained yesterday (25) in an official communication sent to President Lula.

Lula will travel to Caracas tonight after completing a series of appointments in Belém (PA). Tomorrow and Saturday (27-28) Lula will participate in a meeting of the G-15 Summit.

This information comes from the Presidential Press and Publicity Office. (DAS)