Lula started on a war footing: "We will invest in defense so that no one invades this country to take the president... "

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva launched his final campaign for re-election with a hardline stance on national defense, vowing to increase military spending to prevent foreign intervention in Brazil. The speech took place during a large rally in Vila Euclides, São Bernardo do Campo, near São Paulo, a historically significant location for the Workers' Party (PT). At 80 years old, Lula formally began his eighth presidential bid from this site, which marked the beginning of his political career as a union leader during Brazil's military dictatorship decades ago. His campaign promises include boosting the country’s military budget to safeguard against potential external threats. Lula emphasized the need to strengthen Brazil’s defense industry and warned that he wants to be prepared to prevent any foreign power from invading the nation to remove its president, referencing past interventions such as the U.S.-led operation in Venezuela aimed at capturing former President Nicolás Maduro. This statement signaled a shift in the rhetoric of the progressive bloc, placing national security at the forefront of their agenda. During the event, Lula urged left-wing allies to prioritize foreign policy and security issues, arguing that these topics should no longer be considered secondary concerns. He criticized Brazil’s technological shortcomings in defense, questioning how a country as large as Brazil could lack a domestic drone manufacturing industry. Lula also highlighted the growing presence of foreign entities within Brazilian territory and vowed to put an end to such incursions. Alongside his pledge to protect strategic mineral resources from global powers, the rally served to solidify the candidacy of current Vice President Geraldo Alckmin as his running mate ahead of the October elections. Lula reaffirmed the importance of defending the executive branch’s constitutional powers against legislative overreach, particularly regarding the creation of universities and appointments to the Supreme Court. His re-election campaign faces direct competition from Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro and candidate of the Liberal Party. According to recent polling by Datafolha, Lula leads in voter intention with 40%, compared to 32% for Bolsonaro in the first round. If the election proceeds to a second round, polls project Lula with 48% and Bolsonaro with 43%. The opposition is expected to focus its criticism on economic slowdowns, high interest rates, fiscal deficits, and judicial investigations into Lula’s family circle. These factors will likely shape the tone of the campaign in the coming months. The rally underscored Lula’s determination to secure another term, emphasizing both economic and security policies as central pillars of his platform. His comments on strengthening the military and protecting national sovereignty have drawn attention and debate among political analysts and opponents alike. As the race intensifies, the role of defense and national security will remain a key issue in the upcoming election. Lula’s remarks reflect a broader strategy to position himself as a strong leader capable of addressing both internal and external challenges facing Brazil. With the October election approaching, the focus on national defense and military readiness appears set to become a defining theme of the campaign.