Key facts
- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva warned U.S. President Donald Trump not to meddle in Brazil's October presidential election.
- Trump criticized Brazil, stating it had become "dangerous politically" and that the government wanted to arrest "Bolsonaro junior."
- Brazil's Supreme Court convicted former lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro of coercion related to his father's coup trial, sentencing him to four years and two months in prison.
- Lula stated that Trump's remarks demonstrated he "doesn't know Brazil well" and should not interfere in its elections.
- The U.S. government had previously proposed a 25% tariff on imports from Brazil, which Lula criticized as disrespectful.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva warned U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday not to meddle in Brazil’s October presidential election. Trump had recently criticized Brazil over judicial actions against political rivals, including former President Jair Bolsonaro and his son.
Trump stated that Brazil had become "dangerous politically" and that the government wanted to arrest "Bolsonaro junior," who he claimed was "doing well in the polls." This comment likely referred to Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who is running against Lula, or possibly Eduardo Bolsonaro, who was recently convicted of coercion related to his father's coup trial and sentenced to four years and two months in prison.
Lula, attending the G7 summit in France, responded that Trump's remarks showed he "doesn't know Brazil well" and should "don’t interfere in Brazil’s elections, because Brazil’s elections are Brazil’s business." Lula has frequently defended Brazil’s sovereignty, particularly after the Trump administration proposed a new 25% tariff on imports from Brazil and classified two drug-trafficking groups as foreign terrorist organizations.
Lula criticized the U.S. government's classification of the drug-trafficking groups, arguing they seek profit rather than political change. He also reiterated his grievance over the proposed U.S. tariffs, calling the move "disrespectful toward Brazil."