Brazilia, September 21 (RHC)-- Well-known U.S. scholar Noam Chomsky visited imprisoned Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday and said he found the ex-president "optimistic about the future."

Chomsky made his remarks during a press conference in Curitiba, following a visit with Lula.  "It was a wonderful experience, not every day [one meets] an extraordinary figure of the 21st century [who] by right should be the next president of Brazil," Chomsky said later as he addressed a Free Lula vigil.

"I was very pleased to see that he continues to be animated, energetic, full of plans and programs and optimistic about the future," the renowned U.S. scholar and professor said. 

Noam Chomsky warned that the upcoming presidential elections in Brazil could bring a permanent decline when they could otherwise transform the nation into the 'southern colossus' predicted 100 years ago and which had begun to take place under Lula's leadership. So, Free Lula!", Chomsky demanded.