Key facts
- Brazilian intelligence officials briefed French and German delegates on alleged US and Russian interference in Brazil's election.
- The alleged US interference included 'lawfare' and openly acknowledged efforts.
- The meeting occurred between September 9-11 as part of an EU delegation.
- Brazilian officials noted a near doubling of cyberattacks and a rise in hacks targeting the president's office.
- French officials came from Viginum and Arcom; German officials from the Federal Network Agency.
A delegation of French and German officials traveled to Brasilia in September to be briefed by Brazilian intelligence on alleged interference in the upcoming election by the United States and Russia. Officials from Brazil's spy agency, Abin, reportedly confirmed the existence of interference from both countries, with the alleged US efforts ranging from "lawfare to interference that is openly acknowledged."
The previously unreported visit, which took place from September 9 to 11, underscores growing concerns on both sides of the Atlantic regarding US President Donald Trump's support for right-wing candidates globally. Brazilian officials also noted a significant increase in cyberattacks and hacks targeting the president's office, which they linked to the election.
The French officials were from Viginum, an agency for detecting foreign disinformation, and the media regulator Arcom. Their German counterparts were from the Federal Network Agency. The delegation's visit was part of a broader EU effort to discuss the implementation of the bloc's Digital Services Act and to prepare coordinated responses for future elections, including the 2026 elections.
The US State Department has previously denied seeking to interfere in Brazil's elections, and Russia's embassy in Brazil and Abin did not respond to requests for comment. Moscow has also denied interfering in other countries' elections. The Trump administration's overt support for ideologically aligned candidates abroad marks a departure from long-standing US policies.