Lula at UN warns against foreign interference in Brazil elections

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva used his speech at the 81st UN General Assembly to deliver a sharp warning against foreign interference in Brazil's upcoming elections, while also delivering a blistering critique of the UN's own failures. Lula is locked in a tight race with right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro, with polls showing a technical tie ahead of the October 4 first round. Source: larepublicacoSource: diariolibree

Sovereignty and foreign interference

Lula declared that Brazil "no permitiremos que los enemigos de la democracia, internos o externos, atenten contra la voluntad popular," a clear reference to the United States and Donald Trump, whom he accused of backing his rival. Source: clarin He stated he would tell Trump directly: "no se meta en las elecciones de Brasil." Source: El Colombiano The tension stems from US tariffs imposed on Brazil in 2025 and Trump's support for right-wing candidates in Latin America. Source: excelsiormx

UN credibility and global conflicts

Lula opened his address by stating the UN is "fracasando en una de sus misiones más importantes: librar a la humanidad del flagelo de la guerra" and that its "credibilidad nunca ha sido tan baja." Source: lavozar He criticized the Security Council's paralysis, saying "somos todos rehenes de un Consejo de Seguridad que no cumple con su función." Source: lavozar On the Middle East, he called Israel's actions in Gaza a "genocidio" while also acknowledging that Israeli civilians suffered from Hamas's "actos terroristas." Source: Clarín

Venezuela and US influence

In a separate interview, Lula questioned US intervention in Venezuela after the capture of Nicolás Maduro, stating "la soberanía del país acabó" and that Washington treats interim president Delcy Rodríguez "como si fuera su jefe." Source: El TiempoSource: elnacionalve He called for elections in Venezuela. Source: infobae