Brazil President Lula Condemns US Sanctions At UN

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned recent unilateral actions against Brazil's institutions, economy, and judiciary during his speech at the U.N. General Assembly, directly criticizing U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump. Lula denounced the imposition of tariffs, visa restrictions, and financial sanctions by the Trump administration, which were responses to the conviction of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for attempting a coup after losing the 2022 election. Highlighting the importance of sovereignty and due process, Lula defended Brazil's judiciary and the investigation that led to Bolsonaro's conviction, asserting that Brazil sent a strong message defending democracy. The U.S. actions included sanctions on key Brazilian officials and a 50% tariff on many Brazilian goods. Lula's remarks underscored tensions between Brazil and the U.S., emphasizing that arbitrary sanctions and unilateral interventions are unacceptable and threaten Brazil's sovereignty. He affirmed that Brazil's democracy and sovereignty are non-negotiable in the face of these pressures.