President Lula denounces US 'attack' on Brazilian sovereignty at UN

BOGOTA, Colombia

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva used his speech at the United Nations to slam his US counterpart Donald Trump for “attacking” Brazil’s sovereignty and imposing “arbitrary sanctions.”

Without directly naming Trump, Lula launched strong criticism against the US administration for interfering in Brazil's economy and judicial system. He asserted that Brazil is experiencing "an unprecedented attack" on its institutions and economy.

"The aggression against the independence of the judiciary is unacceptable," Lula warned. "This interference in national affairs is assisted by a subservient far-right that feels nostalgia for the hegemonies of the past."

Lula's remarks came after Trump imposed 50% tariffs on some Brazilian exports in July in an attempt to halt the trial of his ally, former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro.​​​​​​​

Earlier in September, Brazil's Federal Supreme Court sentenced Bolsonaro to more than 27 years in prison for attempting a coup. In response, the Trump administration has threatened further measures against what it calls a political persecution of the conservative leader.

Lula said that even under "unprecedented attack," Brazil chose to "resist and defend its democracy, regained forty years ago by its people after two decades of dictatorial rule." He noted that for the first time in the country’s 525-year history, a former head of state has been convicted of violating the democratic rule of law.

The Brazilian leader explained that Bolsonaro "was investigated, indicted, tried, and held accountable for his actions in a thorough process" and added that Bolsonaro was granted the full right to a defense, "a prerogative that dictatorships deny their victims."

"Brazil is sending a message to all aspiring autocrats and those who support them: our democracy and our sovereignty are not negotiable," Lula concluded.

During his speech, Trump announced that he will meet with Lula next week. The announcement came after the two leaders had a brief encounter in the halls of the UN.

"I saw him, he saw me, and we shook hands. We agreed to meet next week," Trump said. "He seems like a nice guy; I liked him, and he liked me," he added.

The meeting would mark the first between the leaders of the two most populous democracies in the Americas since Trump took office eight months ago.