U.S. expresses confidence in Brazil's institutions amid political crisis

The United States continues to have confidence in the "durability of Brazil's democratic institutions" to withstand the current political turmoil, the White House said on Thursday, after Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff was suspended from office.

"We continue to have confidence in the capacity of the government to rely on their well-established traditions and laws to manage their way through this challenging time for their country's politics," White House spokesman Josh Earnest told a regular briefing.

Brazil's Senate voted Thursday to continue the impeachment process against Rousseff, suspending her from office for 180 days. Vice President Michel Temer will take over in the period.

Temer, whose Brazilian Democratic Movement Party recently left the ruling coalition, is seen as a spearhead in the impeachment of Rousseff. Media reports say he has an entirely new Cabinet prepared and intends to make significant changes, shifting the direction of the administration.

At Thursday's briefing, Earnest emphasized the importance of the relationship between the U.S. and Brazil, noting that the two countries cooperate on a wide range of issues.

"The United States will stand with Brazil, even through these challenging times," the spokesman said. Endite