PT member criticizes Moro and Dallagnol’s actions and claims that the operation destroyed companies and jobs
The president (PT) stated that Operation Lava Jato was “the biggest lie of the 21st century” in Brazil. In an interview with Empresa Brasil de Comunicação, the PT member criticized the actions of the former judge (PL-PR) and the former attorney (New) and said that the operation destroyed national companies and jobs.
The president stated that the operation was driven by the media and said that Moro and Dallagnol did not prove the accusations made during the investigations.
“Lava Jato was the big lie of the 21st century in this country that the media promoted around two stations called Moro and Dallagnol and which later proved nothing”declared Lula.
Lava Jato was started in 2014 by the Federal Police and the Federal Public Ministry to investigate corruption and money laundering schemes involving Petrobras, construction companies and politicians. The operation resulted in hundreds of convictions and led Lula to prison in 2018. Years later, decisions by the Federal Supreme Court annulled the PT member’s convictions and highlighted irregularities in the conduct of the processes.
Lula also criticized the economic impacts of the operation. According to him, the fight against corruption should punish businesspeople involved in irregularities without compromising the companies’ activities.
“They bankrupted many companies because the objective here was to bankrupt companies”he stated.
The PT member declared that around 4 million jobs were destroyed due to Lava Jato. “Who was all that in service of?”he questioned.
The president also criticized the press coverage of the operation and said that media outlets were slow to recognize mistakes made during the investigations. “I didn’t see anyone apologize”he stated.
During the interview, Lula said that the succession of corruption allegations keeps the population away from politics and fuels disbelief in institutions.
“What will people like about politics if they see 80% lies on television?”he declared.
Despite the criticism, the president stated that he encourages young people to participate in politics and defended greater societal engagement in parties.
Lula also stated that he had changed his position on the party fund and the electoral fund. According to him, the mechanisms contributed to a “promiscuity” not political system.“I was in favor of the party fund. Today I am against it”he declared.
