President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) opened on Tuesday (23) the 80th UN General Assembly (United Nations) in New York, with a discourse in defense of Brazilian sovereignty and direct criticism of measures adopted by the Government of Donald Trump.
The speech occurs amid the worsening diplomatic crisis with the United States, which applied new sanctions against Brazil on the eve of the event.
“The ideals that inspired the UN founders are threatened as never before their history. Multilateralism is facing a new crossroads. Attacks on sovereignty, arbitrary sanctions and unilateral interventions are becoming a rule,” Lula said.
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The president also directed criticism of political groups that, according to him, operate inside and outside the country to weaken democratic institutions. “This internal affairs interference has the help of a subservient and longing right of ancient hegemonies. False patriots archite and publicly promote actions against Brazil. Our democracy and our sovereignty are non-negotiable,” he said.
Lula linked the rise of undemocratic forces in the world to the weakening of multilateralism.
“Authoritarianism is strengthened when we omitted in the face of arbitrariness. Unademocratic forces try to subdue institutions, worship violence, act as physical and digital militias and surround the press,” he added.
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Message to Bolsonarists
The petista took advantage of the space to strengthen the narrative that Brazil has resisted authoritarian pressures in recent years and has given a global example by holding those involved in the attacks of January 8, 2023.
“Even under an unprecedented attack, Brazil chose to resist and defend its democracy. A few days ago, and for the first time in 525 years of our history, a former chief of state was convicted of paying attention against the Democratic Rule of Law. He was investigated, indicted, judged and responsible with ample right of defense,” said, referring to the conviction of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL).
Crisis context
The speech tone was marked by the clash with Washington. President Donald Trump’s government applied new sanctions on Monday (22), including restrictions on relatives of STF Minister Alexandre de Moraes. Lula did not mention Trump nominally, but criticized unilateral measures that, according to him, disrespect the sovereignty of countries.
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“There is no justification for arbitrary measures against our institutions and our economy. Aggression against the independence of the judiciary is unacceptable,” he said.
With the speech, Lula sought to project Brazil as an active voice in the defense of democracy, national sovereignty and multilateralism – as opposed to the forces that, according to him, threaten the international order.
A stage of divergences
Tuesday’s session is expected to expose the polarization between Lula and Trump’s agendas. While the Brazilian president bets on international cooperation, Trump – who will speak shortly thereafter – should reinforce the defense of US hegemonic role, reject the climate agenda and promise unrestricted support to Israel in the conflict in Gaza.
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With the climb of tensions, the opening of the Assembly becomes a symbolic stage to measure the degree of removal between the two countries, which celebrate 201 years of diplomatic relations in 2025.
