Brazilian President Criticizes U.S. For Spying

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said that spying "is a breach of international law and as such it is an affront to the principles that should otherwise govern relations among countries." (file photo)

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has criticized the United States for spying on her country.

In a speech to the UN General Assembly on September 24, she said Brazil will adopt new laws and technology to protect itself from the illegal interception of communications.

She said that spying "is a breach of international law and as such it is an affront to the principles that should otherwise govern relations among countries."

Last week, Rousseff postponed a state visit to Washington because of concerns over disclosures that the U.S. National Security Agency spied on her e-mail communications and on the state-run energy giant Petrobas.

The alleged surveillance was made public by documents leaked by former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP