The president (PT) determined this Friday (June 26, 2026) that the Minister of Defense, José Múcio Monteiro, travel to Venezuela next week to discuss how Brazil can help the country after this week. According to Lula, the disaster left 589 dead and 2,850 injured.
The announcement was made during the launching ceremony of the frigate “Cunha Moreira”, in Itajaí (SC), the third ship of the Navy’s Tamandaré Class. Before starting his speech, the president asked for a minute of silence in honor of the victims.
Watch (2min14s):
“I would like to begin my speech by asking everyone here to stand and observe a minute of silence for the 589 people who have already died in Venezuela and 2,850 injured. And I would like, Zé Múcio, to determine that, next week, you go to Venezuela to discuss what our defense can do to help the people of Venezuela”he stated.
Lula did not detail what humanitarian aid measures could be offered nor did he inform the date of Múcio’s trip. In the rest of the speech, he defended the increase in investments in defense, the elaboration of a strategic project for the Armed Forces and the renewal of military equipment.
When defending more resources for the area, the president stated that Brazil needs to be prepared to respond to international crises, although he highlighted that the country does not seek conflicts.
“We don’t want fights with anyone, we don’t want to invade anyone, we don’t want war with anyone, but we will be prepared to defend our 8 and a half million square kilometers and 215 million inhabitants”he declared.
Lula also linked the strengthening of the defense structure to the current geopolitical scenario.
“The world is full of crazy people. Right now the American president wants to take over Greenland; Canada, which is going to become his state, wants to take over the Panama Canal. […] I don’t want war. But I also don’t want to be caught by surprise.”these.
During the ceremony, the president also stated that he intends to include national defense among the priorities of his government program.
“For the first time I will put the issue of national defense in a government program, so that we can make a public commitment to what type of defense we will want in this country”he stated.
