Lula pledges defense spending so no one invades Brazil as he confirms his candidacy

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva pledged on Sunday to boost defense spending if he secures victory in the upcoming October elections, as his re-election bid was officially confirmed at the Workers Party national convention held at Expo Center Norte in São Paulo. Lula emphasized his desire to remain unprepared for any potential invasion of the country, drawing a parallel to the recent capture of Nicolás Maduro by US special forces in Caracas.

He urged supporters to prioritize defense, citing the growth of military industries in the UK, Germany, and Japan. The president acknowledged some reservations among the electorate due to the military dictatorship from 1964 to 1985, but stressed the need to safeguard Brazil's population, territory, and coastline amid global instability.

He also vowed to address the exploitation of rare earths and critical minerals, vowing not to permit external interference from either China or the US, and arguing that Brazil should utilize its own technological capabilities for extraction and processing. The Workers Party ticket, comprising Lula and Geraldo Alckmin, received formal endorsement from the party's presidential body.

The formal campaign launch is set for August 16 at Vila Euclides stadium in São Bernardo do Campo. Recent polls indicate Lula leading the main opposition candidate, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. The Supreme Federal Court recently authorized an investigation into Lula's eldest son over alleged influence-peddling.