The White House announced on Tuesday that US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan invited Brazil's President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to visit Washington.

"National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan traveled to Brasilia, Brazil on Monday, December 5 for meetings with senior representatives of the Brazilian government and members of the incoming administration," the White House said in a statement on Monday. "During the meeting, Mr. Sullivan extended an invitation on behalf of President [Joe] Biden for President-elect Lula to visit Washington."

According to the statement, Sullivan congratulated Lula on his election victory and discussed the importance of maintaining communication lines open during the transition. 

The statement further said the two discussed how the US and Brazil can cooperate on joint ventures to address common issues, namely combatting climate change, safeguarding food security, promoting inclusion, democracy, international peace and stability, and managing regional migration.

.@JakeSullivan46 met today with Brazilian President-elect Lula da Silva in Brasilia. The two had a wide-ranging & productive conversation about how the United States & Brazil can continue to work together to address common challenges & deepen our strong bilateral relationship. pic.twitter.com/NNFnzSTwet

— Adrienne Watson (@NSC_Spox) December 5, 2022

On December 1, Republican Senator Ted Cruz in a tweet called out US President Joe Biden for hastily congratulating Lula compared to the slow response to Benjamin Netanyahu's election victory in "Israel".

Sen. Ted Cruz on how Biden was quick to call Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva but slow to call Israel: Team Biden was "Thrilled to see an anti-American leftist like Lula in power and they were deeply dismayed to see a pro-America friend & ally like Netanyahu in power.” pic.twitter.com/wABHFEvX28

— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) December 1, 2022

Senator Cruz and former President Donald Trump have previously sent video campaign messages in support of President Jair Bolsnaro during the elections.

The former leftist President, whose term lasted from 2003-2010, urged "peace and unity" after defeating far-right Bolsonaro, concluding a historic political comeback.

The victory represented a stunning turnaround for the leftist icon, who returned for an unprecedented third term at 77 after leaving office in 2010 as the most popular President in Brazilian history.

Read more: Conservatism grows in Brazil despite leftist Lula's win: WSJ