USA01 October, 20262 min read
Jorge Messias Urges Probe Into Donald Trump Funding Far-Right Causes Ahead Of Brazil Vote
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Brazil's attorney general called for probe into US funding of far-right causes influencing elections. Probe follows Guardian report alleging US interference in Brazil's politics.
6 outlets told this the same way.
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Probe Requested in Brazil
Brazil’s attorney general Jorge Messias called on law enforcement to investigate alleged efforts by the United States to interfere in Brazil’s domestic politics through the diversion of funds to far-right causes.
Messias said foreign meddling "cannot be tolerated" and that the report represented "an important alert for Brazilian sovereignty".
Brazil’s government requested the opening of an investigation into potential U.S. interference to sway the vote in favor of far-right candidate Flavio Bolsonaro.
Brazil asked the police to investigate the alleged use of public funds by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to promote a "far-right agenda" in Brazil.
Lula sought to reassure voters by guaranteeing the country’s sovereignty as the first round of the presidential election was set for October 4.
Lula, Trump, and the Timeline
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told the United Nations General Assembly on September 22 that "They come to steal our resources" and that "Brazil is not anybody’s backyard."
Lula sought re-election while Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, was a frontrunner ahead of the first round on October 4.
Time reported that President Donald Trump said he is following the upcoming Brazilian election "very closely," referring to Brazil as a "very important" country.
Time also reported that the U.S. State Department later announced the suspension of its consular services in Brazil ahead of the election, citing unspecified security concerns.
Time quoted Trump telling reporters outside the White House, "The people of Brazil are fantastic people," as he called the election "a very important election."
Accusations, Tariffs, and Stakes
Time reported that Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing "grave concern" about what they called "the Administration’s coordinated effort to threaten our strategic alliance with Brazil and undermine the Western Hemisphere’s second-largest democracy". Time also reported that the Senators argued that the "campaign directed at Brazil’s authorities resumed with the appointment of Darren Beattie as a senior advisor on Brazil issues in the State Department." Brazil will head to the polls on 4 October for the first vote in its presidential race, with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva neck-and-neck with Flávio Bolsonaro.
The fears and accusations that the US is interfering in the election followed similar allegations in a string of elections across Latin America won by Donald Trump-backed candidates in what it called 'the orange wave'. Lula has sought to focus attention on efforts Trump has undertaken to boost the prospects of far-right allies across Latin America, warning of threats to regional sovereignty.