Marcia Carmo (247) - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will attend the Mercosur summit in Montevideo, Uruguay, scheduled for this Thursday and Friday. Lula approaches the meeting with optimism regarding progress in the free trade agreement negotiations between the bloc and the European Union. “Our expectation is positive,” one negotiator told Brazilbetano br.
The agreement has been under discussion since 1999. The world was different back then – Trump had not been re-elected to the White House, Milei was not Argentina's president, and China did not hold the global presence it does today. New developments include Panama’s interest in joining Mercosur and the presence of Uruguay's president-elect Yamandú Orsi, from the Frente Amplia, who met Lula in Brasília shortly after his election. Both Orsi and Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino confirmed their attendance at this Mercosur summit.
Last week, technical meetings between Mercosur and European Union representatives were held at Itamaraty. According to sources involved, “there are reasons for Brazilian optimism.” The Montevideo meeting will be the bloc’s first since last week’s negotiations in Brasília. The European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, holds the mandate to negotiate the agreement and supports its advancement. Von der Leyen participated in the G20 meeting in Riobetano brJaneiro, led by President Lula. However, any agreement must be approved by the European Council (27 heads of state and government) and the European Parliament. France remains strongly opposed, but Brazilian negotiators believe the agreement could open EU markets to Brazilian agribusiness without harming the country’s industry.
At the summit in Montevideo, Milei is expected to reiterate his support for the free trade agreement while advocating for greater Mercosur trade openness. For now, he does not intend to leave the bloc, particularly given Argentina’s dependence on Brazil and China as its main trading partners. Despite Milei’s enthusiasm for Trump’s election, Argentina’s struggling economy in Milei’s first year in office has led to a 20% drop in Brazil’s exports to Mercosur. The economic “chainsaw” Milei is wielding has reduced consumption, affecting Brazilian sales in the Argentine market.

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English

Brazil's Optimism with Mercosur-European Union Agreement

Tereza Cruvinel (247) - The Federal Police inquiry report on the coup attempt completely disproved Jair Bolsonaro's denials of involvement, hours after he rejected any participation. Based on a wealth of evidence, the report confirmed that Bolsonaro “planned, acted, and had direct and effective control” over the entire coup plan.
While military coup-style takeovers have fallen out of favor, replaced by more modern forms of democratic erosion, Bolsonaro's coup and his allies' plans were old-fashioned. The plan failed due to a lack of support from the Army and Air Force commanders. Facing failure, Bolsonaro sought refuge in the U.S., abandoning his conspirators, who, in desperation, resorted to a last-ditch attempt by mobilizing campers stationed across the country to attack centers of power.
The coup details were outlined in a document, previously undisclosed, found at the headquarters of the Liberal Party (PL) on the desk of General Braga Netto's aide, Colonel Peregrino. The handwritten document was in a folder labeled "important memories" and titled "Operation 142," referring to the far-right's misinterpretation of Article 142 of the Constitution, which they falsely claimed allowed military intervention in cases of conflict between government branches or serious disruption of order.
The document included the phrase "Lula does not climb the ramp," encapsulating the coup's goal: to prevent the legitimately elected president from taking office. It detailed planned actions under the heading "Lines of Effort," which included:
<ul>
 <li>Legal framing under Article 142 (Attorney General and Ministry of Justice).</li>
 <li>Political commitment: convening the Council of the Republic and Defense.</li>
 <li>National TV and radio address.</li>
 <li>Preparation (rehearsals) of troops for direct actions.</li>
 <li>Mobilizing jurists and opinion leaders.</li>
 <li>Preparing releases for later dissemination.</li>
 <li>Halting the transition process.</li>
 <li>Nullifying STF's arbitrary acts.</li>
</ul>
What was left unsaid but already known: eliminating Lula, Alckmin, and Alexandrebetano brMoraes. Like in 1964, it would have been followed by the removal of opponents, suspension of constitutional guarantees, and an act of force symbolizing the spirit of dictatorship, like the infamous AI-5 decree.
If Brazil narrowly escaped this plot, those responsible must not escape justice, ensuring no one dares attack the democratic state and the will of the people again.

Jair Bolsonaro durante participaçãobetano breventobetano brGoiânia, 04/04/2024

New document reveals coup plan in detail, with Bolsonaro's full approval

José Reinaldo Carvalho 
Journalist, international editor of Brasilbetano br
The 19th G20 Summit in Brazil, held on November 18 and 19 under the theme "Building a Fair World and a Sustainable Planet," holds political significance that transcends pragmatic negotiations and signals a shift in the direction of this group, which has historically been polarized by the interests of imperialist powers.
This year's event reflects Brazil's and other developing and less-developed countries' expectation of confronting the global crisis through the lens of multipolarity, the fight for justice, democratic global governance, and addressing serious environmental problems. Brazilian diplomacy successfully negotiated an agenda to navigate insoluble controversies on the most contentious issues of today, related to the war in Ukraine and Israel's genocide in Palestine. Regarding these conflicts, the Final Declaration offered a generic approach to achieve consensus and had the merit of advocating for a ceasefire, which in practice means demanding an end to the genocide in Gaza.
Lula emphasized his proposal to create an alliance against hunger and poverty and tax the super-rich, achieving full success. Brazil assumed leadership with an agenda that reflects the urgent demands of the Global South. By prioritizing the fight against poverty and inequality, promoting sustainability, and reforming global governance, the Brazilian government demonstrated a clear commitment to progressive values.
The G20 in Riobetano brJaneiro may be remembered as a moment when opportunities opened up for comprehensive action to redefine the direction of the planet.
The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty has already gained widespread support. The proposal was conceived by Brazil with the aim of accelerating global efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty. In addition to more than 80 countries, the European and African Unions, 24 international organizations, nine financial institutions, and 31 philanthropic and non-governmental organizations have announced their adherence.
The Global Alliance aims to reach 500 million people with income transfer programs in low- and lower-middle-income countries by 2030, expand quality school meals to 150 million more children in countries with endemic child poverty and hunger, and raise billions in credit and donations through multilateral development banks to implement these and other programs.
A significant aspect of the summit that underscores efforts to establish a new standard of international cooperation is the role of China and its leader Xi Jinping, who captured the spirit of the moment by advocating for inclusive globalization and a multipolar world where all nations have a voice and relevance. This vision aligns with progressive ideals that view multilateralism and multipolarity not only as pragmatic necessities but also as opportunities to redefine the foundations of the international system, traditionally marked by structural inequalities and unilateral hegemonies. Over the past decades, China has shown that it is possible to combine economic development with large-scale poverty reduction and actively participate in international forums for genuine multilateralism and multipolarity.
Another noteworthy aspect of this G20 summit is the role of the African Union, whose presence in the group is solidifying, a fact that should be seen as a historic milestone. This inclusion recognizes the relevance of developing nations in tackling contemporary challenges.
The final declaration, an extensive document, expresses in its 85 points generic intentions to build a world where social and inter-nation inequalities are overcome, crises are addressed, and policies leading to development, peace, environmental protection, and new standards of global governance are adopted. "We remain resolute in our commitment to combat hunger, poverty, and inequality, promote sustainable development in its economic, social, and environmental dimensions, and reform global governance," states the Declaration.
The document reflects the possible consensus among such disparate countries. Obviously, the achievement of the proclaimed goals is still distant in a world dominated by imperialist powers, capitalist oppression and exploitation, neoliberal economic policies, and the militarism and wars of these powers.
Building a multipolar, inclusive world with social justice will not be achieved through speeches alone. It is necessary to go beyond promises and adopt concrete measures. Reforming global institutions to make them more democratic is essential. The struggle of peoples and nations for their independence is indispensable to achieving these gains.

G20 Faces Challenges in Combating Hunger, Inequality, and Establishing New Global Governance

247 – The First Lady, Rosângela Lula da Silva, known as Janja, didn’t hold back and hurled insults at the far-right billionaire Elon Musk, owner of the social platform X and supporter of the U.S. President-elect, Donald Trump. Musk will be part of the future White House administration, heading the "Department of Governmental Efficiency."
"Fuck you, Elon Musk," said Janja during a G20 Social event in Riobetano brJaneiro (RJ).
Trump and Musk were targets of several criticisms during the event, which precedes the Leaders' Summit, where Presidents Lula and Joe Biden are expected to meet. The First Lady has been warning about the dangers of the upcoming administration in Washington, especially concerning environmental issues.
In response to criticism from Janja, he posted a direct message: “They will lose the next election”.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated this Saturday that the G20 Social campaigns, such as the one to combat global hunger, are not aimed at attacking anyone, but rather at promoting awareness. 
 
"This is a campaign in which we don't have to offend anyone or curse anyone. We just need to outrage society, the people who have won their right to eat", said Lula during the "Festival Aliança Global: Pro Dia Nascer Feliz", on the sidelines of the G20, in Riobetano brJaneiro (RJ). The event was broadcast on the president's YouTube channel. 
 
When addressing the First Lady, Lula said: "I want anyone who doesn't like us to hear this girl's phrase: The powerful may kill one or two roses, but they will never be able to stop the spring."

Janja sends a direct message to Elon Musk: "f*** you"

247 - Supreme Court Justice Gilmar Mendes, reacting to Wednesday's (13) Bolsonarist terrorist attack, where a man tried to blow up the Court and killed himself, attributed the event to the ideology of hatred promoted by Jair Bolsonaro and his supporters.
"This event constitutes yet another attack on democratic institutions," Mendes said in a Court session this Thursday (14). "What happened last night is not an isolated incident, unfortunately."
The magistrate added, "The shallow ideology that led to the coup attempt did not emerge suddenly" and stressed that "The discourse of hatred and misinformation was encouraged during the previous government," referring to Jair Bolsonaro.
"With the new government in 2019, this strategy influenced the discourse of the Presidential Palace and its supporters, criminalizing the opposition and systematically attacking oversight institutions," he added, also mentioning former congressman Daniel Silveira's incitement of assaults against STF justices.
The explosions were heard at the end of a session taking place in the STF plenary, and the Court's ministers were evacuated safely. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was not in the Palácio do Planalto at the time; he had left around 5:30 PM.
The Federal Police (PF) opened an investigation into the case. Forensic experts will investigate the explosions using a strategy similar to the reconstruction of events used to identify the crimes of January 8 of last year, when the buildings of the Three Powers were attacked by Bolsonarist terrorists. (With information from Agência Brasil).

Bolsonaro Fostered Hatred, Says Gilmar Mendes After Bolsonarist Terrorist Attack Against the STF

247 - The Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad, stated on Monday (11) that some ministries are included in the government’s spending cut package. According to the minister, the project will be accepted or not by Wednesday (13) or, at the latest, Thursday (14).
Representatives from at least 12 ministries have already discussed the topic with the federal government. The government has yet to disclose which ministries will be impacted by the fiscal package, which aims to reduce spending. Proposals affecting five ministries have been completed.
"Meetings with the Ministers of Labor, Social Security, Social Development, Health, and Education have already concluded. The president [Lula] requested the inclusion of one more ministry in this effort, and the negotiation should be completed by Wednesday. I won’t disclose which one because I’m not sure if there will be enough time to incorporate his request, but I believe there will be goodwill to add this additional measure," Haddad said as he left the Ministry of Finance.
According to the minister, the Civil House, led by Rui Costa, is reviewing the government's proposal, but further meetings with the presidents of the Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Senate will be necessary. "Tomorrow afternoon, we will have a meeting with the president [Lula] to discuss the proposal for Congress. On Wednesday, we will receive, or not, the green light for the president's request."

Fiscal Adjustment Advances and Haddad Says the Package Will Be Announced Soon

247 – After hours of meetings this Thursday (7) discussing proposals for spending cuts, President Lula's government postponed an announcement. The meeting will resume on Friday afternoon (8), reported the Palácio do Planalto, as cited by Infomoney.
The mandatory spending cut package will be announced after the president explains the proposals to the Presidents of the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira, and the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco. If the discussions had concluded by early Thursday afternoon (7), the measures could have been announced the same day, as stated by Finance Minister Fernando Haddad on Wednesday.
According to the minister, only two legal details are missing to finalize the package before President Lula makes a definitive decision on the measures.
The package will consist of a proposed constitutional amendment and a complementary law project.

Government Postpones Announcement of Spending Cuts

247 - Venezuela's state news agency published a cartoon on Sunday (3) suggesting a supposed shady involvement between Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. embassy in the country. The attack comes amid an escalation of the crisis between the Brazilian government and Nicolás Maduro's regime, accompanied by criticism of Itamaraty.
According to Metrópoles, the artist Vicman, responsible for the cartoon, used the term "Itamaraty pitiyankee," a mocking expression referencing Americans, originating from the way the British used to refer to U.S. settlers. The provocation coincides with Venezuela's discontent after the BRICS guest list was released, excluding Venezuela.
In the cartoons, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) is depicted inside a Trojan horse, an allegory suggesting manipulation, implying that Lula disguises himself as an ally of Venezuela while actually serving U.S. interests. Vicman captioned it with the phrase “nothing surprising.”
Further, in another illustration, Lula emerges from a closet, dressed in a suit with the colors of the U.S. flag, with Vicman commenting, “How disgusting this old man is, but at least he came out of the closet.” In a third cartoon, the president watches as Maduro and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands, while Lula wears a symbolic U.S. hat.
The fourth and final cartoon portrays Lula alongside the presidents of Argentina, Javier Milei, and Chile, Gabriel Boric, all depicted as pets of a figure draped in the American flag, with Vicman referring to them as the "pitiyankee litter." Despite their ideological differences, Milei and Boric are critics of Maduro's regime.
The diplomatic crisis between the two countries intensified after Maduro summoned Ambassador Manuel Vadell back to Caracas following Brazil's veto on Venezuela’s entry into BRICS. On the same day, the Venezuelan government issued a statement condemning Brazil's recent positions and criticizing former Foreign Minister Celso Amorim, claiming he “acts more like a messenger of American imperialism.”
Amorim, considered one of President Lula's key advisors on foreign policy, stated during a meeting of the Chamber of Deputies’ Foreign Relations and National Defense Commission that Venezuela does not meet the necessary criteria for inclusion in the bloc.
Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the Venezuelan criticisms, expressing “surprise” at the “offensive” tone of the statements. The Brazilian government emphasized that opting for “personal attacks and rhetorical escalation” does not reflect the respectful manner in which Brazil engages with Venezuela and its people.

Venezuela Intensifies Attacks on Lula and Itamaraty

247 - Paulo Pimenta, head of the Social Communication Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic (Secom), stated on Monday (28) that his party, the PT, "needs to update itself" while commenting on the results of the municipal elections in an interview with GloboNews. The party made gains compared to 2020, winning in Fortaleza (CE), but fell short of expectations in many cities.
Pimenta remarked that the current labor market is very different from past decades and that the PT must consider this to stay relevant. "PT needs to update programmatically; it was conceived for a labor world very different from today’s. We need to open dialogue with other sectors, with entrepreneurship, with people who have chosen alternative ways of living. This was not part of our program, and these sectors need to see themselves in the party," he said, also advocating for closer ties with the periphery.
Pimenta also interpreted the election results as a defeat for Bolsonarism and the far-right. "It was a defeat for the far-right. We didn’t see anyone questioning the electronic ballot box... there were 48 candidates with the slogan ‘I participated on January 8,’ and none were elected. In the previous election, Bolsonaro fielded several of his ministers, and they all won. None won this time. Typical figures of Bolsonarism—all were defeated," he said.

"PT needs to update itself," says Pimenta after municipal election results

247 - The positions of Russia and Brazil regarding Venezuela do not coincide, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (24). The statement comes amid Brazilian resistance to including the Latin American country in the bloc of emerging nations, as requested by President Nicolás Maduro's government.
"Our positions do not coincide with those of Brazil on the issues concerning Venezuela. I am speaking openly about this," Putin said at a press conference after the BRICS summit held in Kazan, Russia, adding that he hopes relations between Brazil and Venezuela will be normalized soon.
Russia believes that Maduro won the elections fairly, Putin said. "Regarding the admission of Venezuela or any other state into BRICS, I want to say that this is only possible by consensus. We have a rule that, to accept any candidate to this organization, to the BRICS association, the consent of all participants is required. It is not possible to take such a step without it," Putin concluded.
Earlier on Thursday, Putin stated that Maduro is strengthening the country's sovereignty, and the nation is showing strong development during the final meeting of the BRICS summit in the BRICS Plus/Outreach format.
"Under your leadership, Venezuela continues the policy of Commander [Hugo] Chávez to strengthen the country's sovereignty and shows strong development," Putin said to Maduro.
Kazan hosted a high-level BRICS summit from October 22 to 24, as part of Russia's rotating presidency of the bloc in 2024. Maduro was one of the invited heads of state and received Russian support for his candidacy but faced resistance from Brazil, which did not officially recognize the election results in Venezuela, according to media reports.
BRICS is an intergovernmental association created in 2006. Russia assumed the rotating presidency of the bloc on January 1, 2024. The year began with the accession of new members to the association. In addition to Russia, Brazil, India, China, and South Africa, it now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, according to the Russian BRICS 2024 presidency website. Media reports indicated that Saudi Arabia has not yet formalized its participation but has been taking part in BRICS meetings. (With information from Sputnik).

Putin reveals disagreement with Brazil over Venezuela and defends Maduro's victory

247 - BRICS needs consensus on the parameters for admitting new countries and a balance in the representation of different world regions in the association, said Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira in an interview with Sputnik on Tuesday (22). Vieira leads Brazil at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia.
"Our position... is that BRICS expansion must be based on criteria. That is, new members must be willing to adhere to the criteria and take on commitments that are already part of the group's identity. It’s a matter of coherence and facilitating an expansion that politically strengthens BRICS as an influential voice in the world," said Vieira, adding that Brazil agrees with "the need to find a balance in regional representation."
The statements come amid questions about the possible entry of Venezuela and Nicaragua into the bloc. Both countries are officially represented at the BRICS Summit, held from October 22 to 24.
BRICS is an intergovernmental association created in 2006. Russia assumed the rotating presidency of the bloc on January 1, 2024. The year began with the accession of new members to the association. In addition to Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the bloc now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has not yet formalized its participation but has been attending BRICS meetings.

Mauro Vieira defends criteria for BRICS expansion amid questions about Venezuela and Nicaragua

247 – After meeting with President Lula this Wednesday (16th), banks urged the federal government to seek "economic" and "fiscal balance."
"President Lula has a direct line with the bank presidents. We asked Minister Haddad for this meeting two months ago. Lula told us assertively that there is no room for mistakes so that the economy continues to grow with fiscal balance. We told Lula that it's necessary to dissipate the noise. We appealed to the government to be persistent in maintaining economic balance so that we can grow sustainably," said the president of the Brazilian Federation of Banks (Febraban), Isaac Sidney, as quoted by the newspaper Valor Econômico.
He also stated that various topics were discussed during the meeting: "We discussed several issues, such as credit and betting. We expressed to the president our concern about families' indebtedness with betting. The government must be prepared to oversee this. Besides the government, there are implications for the market and the economy. We want to delve deeper into this topic [betting]."

Lula, Luiz Carlos Trabucco, Milton Maluhy Filho, Isaac Sidney, André Esteves, Mario Leão, Marcelo Noronha e Alberto Monteiro

Banks pressure Lula to avoid 'noise' amid calls for cuts

247 - The Chief Minister of the Secretariat for Institutional Relations of the Presidency, Alexandre Padilha, stated on Monday (14) that possible irregularities by the energy company Enel are being investigated, amid the blackout affecting São Paulo. He also criticized the "absurd stance" of the company and the lack of workers fixing the problem, calling it an "omission."
"I have opened investigations into any possible failures or irregularities by the private concessionaire, and possibly also in relation to officials from the National Electric Energy Agency. This is an absurd stance, for example, from the concessionaire, claiming they had deployed only 12 teams for the entire ABC region of São Paulo. Indeed, an omission by the concessionaire," Padilha said during a press conference, as reported by CBN radio.
The distributor informed that 430,000 properties remained without electricity on Monday afternoon (14). Of this total, 280,000 are in the city of São Paulo.