Government sends letter to ‘The Economist’ reacting to criticism of Lula; See in full

The Brazilian government sent a letter signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, to the British magazine “The Economist” on Tuesday, 1, responding to an article that says President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) The text published on Sunday, 29, questions the external influence and internal popularity of the petista.

The article refers to criticism made by Lula regarding the attacks of Israel and the United States against Iran. On June 22, the Brazilian government positioned itself “vehemently condemning” US action and stating that the attacks were a “violation of the sovereignty of the Persian country and international law”.

For The Economist, the “president should stop pretending that Brazil is important in war matters in Europe or the Middle East, and focus on issues closer to home.”

The magazine criticized the president in this feeling stating that “in the beginning, being a member of the BRICS offered to Brazil a platform to exert global influence. Today, this makes the country look increasingly hostile to the West.”

In the magazine’s understanding, Lula is “inconsistent” for meeting with leaders from Oriental Countries while showing no effort to strengthen ties with US President Donald Trump. According to the article, this makes Brazil “the largest economy whose leader did not squeeze the hand of the US president.”

The Brazilian was still criticized for his performance with neighboring countries: “Lula seems to be willing or not being able to gather the Latin American nations to present a united front against immigrant deportations and Trump’s tariff war,” writes The Economist.

Ambassador Mauro Vieira says that Brazil does not “treat it there in international law” and that respect “to the moral authority” of the Brazilian executive head is “indisputable”.

In addition, in the letter addressed to the British, the chancellor mentions that Lula “presented a bold billionaire taxation proposal that had bothered many oligarchs.”

The minister highlighted the importance of the BRICS, under the leadership of Lula, “in the struggle for a multipolar world, less asymmetrical and more peaceful” and that “Brazil’s position on Iran’s attacks and, above all, nuclear facilities is consistent with these principle.”

The text also argues that Lula was not inconsistent in condemning the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, pointing out the need for diplomatic resolution for the conflict.

“Lula is not popular with climatic negotiations. In the face of a new arms race, he is among leaders who denounce the irrationality of investing in destruction, to the detriment of the fight against hunger and global warming,” says the letter of Mauro Vieira.

See the full letter

“Regarding the recent article published on your website on June 29, I would like to make the following considerations.

Few world leaders, such as President Lula, can say that they support the four pillars essential to humanity and the planet with the same consistency: democracy, sustainability, peace and multilateralism. As president of the G20, Lula built a difficult consensus among members last year, and throughout the process he has been able to create a broad global alliance against hunger and poverty. He also presented a bold billionaire taxation proposal that had bothered many oligarchs.

Brazil sees Brics as an unavoidable actor in the struggle for a multipolar, less asymmetrical and more peaceful world. Our presidency will work to strengthen the profile of the group as a space for political concertation in favor of the reform of global governance and as a sphere of cooperation for development and sustainability.

Under Lula’s leadership, Brazil has become a rare example of institutional solidity and defense of democracy. It was a reliable partner that respects multilateral trade rules and offers security to investors. As a country that has no enemies, Brazil is also a coherent advocate of international law and dispute resolution through diplomacy. We do not undergo treatment by international law nor elastic interpretations of self -defense right. Lula is an eloquent defender of the United Nations Charter and Geneva Conventions.

Brazil’s position on Iran’s attacks and, above all, nuclear facilities is consistent with these principles. Our condemnation responds to the elementary fact that these actions constitute a blatant transgression of the UN letter. In particular, the rules of the International Atomic Energy Agency, an organization responsible for preventing radioactive contamination and large -scale environmental disasters.

In the management of President Lula, Brazil condemned the invasion of Ukraine through Russia, while pointed out the need to open the way for a diplomatic resolution of the conflict, still in 2023.

Lula is not popular with climatic negotiations. In the face of a new arms race, it is among leaders who denounce the irrationality of investing in destruction, to the detriment of the fight against hunger and global warming.

For humanists from around the world, including politicians, business leaders, academics and human rights advocates, respect for President Lula’s moral authority is indisputable. ”