The law that established Brazil’s minimum wage in 1936, later regulated in 1940, resulted from workers’ struggles, reshaped social relations, and unsettled economic elites, according to historians interviewed by Agência Brasil. The legislation marked its 90th anniversary last Wednesday (Jan. 14).

The first article of the law states: “Every worker has the right, in payment for services rendered, to a minimum wage capable of satisfying, in a given region of the country and at a given time, their normal needs for food, housing, clothing, hygiene, and transportation.”

Notícias relacionadas:

• Number of app-based workers in Brazil grows 25%.
• Brazil’s new monthly minimum wage set at BRL 1,621.

According to history professor Mateus Gamba Torres of the University of Brasília (UnB), strikes demanding better working conditions took place in Brazil during the 1910s and 1920s.

“Until then, the contract was civil law-based, for the provision of services. There was no minimum wage that the employer was required to pay,” he says.

Ambiguous stance

Then-President Getúlio Vargas also faced pressure from economic elites, researchers have found, even as more money was injected into the economy. According to Professor Deusdedith Rocha of the University Center of Brasília (Ceub), Brazil’s elite adopted an ambivalent stance toward the introduction of the minimum wage.

“They both resisted and strategically adjusted to the changes of the time. Distrust in the agricultural sector was offset by the idea of social stabilization,” he explains.

Rocha adds that the minimum wage became a fundamental achievement in the regulation of labor relations.

“The worker perceived the minimum wage as fundamental to having a greater possibility of survival,” he stated.

Trade unions

Trade unions celebrate the Minimum Wage Law but argue that real wage adjustments should become a state policy, not just a government policy.

“The minimum wage is fundamental because it sets a benchmark both for categories without a minimum wage and for retirees and pensioners. It ultimately becomes an important instrument for income distribution in our country,” says João Carlos Gonçalves, general secretary of Força Sindical (Union Force).

He recalls that trade unions fought for the minimum wage adjustment to become an instrument for income distribution. “The adjustment was achieved in Congress and, as a result, the minimum wage saw a real increase, which was cut during the [Michel] Temer and [Jair] Bolsonaro governments.”

According to Gonçalves, the policy of real increases was reinstated during President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government. “Now there has been a return to a real benchmark, slightly lower, which is still important, even if smaller,” he says.

For Ariovaldo de Camargo, of the Central Única dos Trabalhadores - CUT (Unified Workers’ Central), the minimum wage “for active workers is a cushion, an important reference point, but falls short of what is needed.”

Camargo argues that a “more rapid” recovery policy is necessary.

“After the 2016 coup [that removed Dilma Rousseff from power], when we went six years without adjustments above inflation - and at times even below - it was, we can say, a discontinuous policy,” according to Camargo.

Ronaldo Leite, president of the Central dos Trabalhadores e Trabalhadoras do Brasil - CTB (Central of Workers of Brazil), also emphasizes the importance of the minimum wage. “It is a fundamental guarantee for workers. Having a constitutional floor minimally ensures the purchasing power of the working class.”

Leite notes that the Lula government reinstated the policy of increasing the minimum wage, allowing for adjustments above inflation, but acknowledges that its value has been eroded over the years.

“The minimum wage has lost much of its purchasing power compared to when it was first established. Dieese [the Inter-Union Department of Statistics and Socioeconomic Studies] calculates that the ideal value today would be BRL 7,106.83. The CTB advocates maintaining and expanding the policy of minimum wage increases to ensure that the working class experiences an improvement in living conditions,” Leite adds.

The minimum wage in effect this year is BRL 1,621.00.

Dieese is supported by the labor movement. It conducts research on the cost of living, employment and unemployment, and issues related to the world of work and workers.

The official program for Rio de Janeiro’s street Carnival begins this weekend on January 17 and runs until February 22.

Rio’s tourism company Riotur reports that 462 parades are scheduled throughout the period, expected to attract around 6 million revelers, including locals and tourists, who will fill the streets, squares, and avenues across the city. A record 803 street parties are registered.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Rio beaches and marinas receive Blue Flag certification.
• Brazilian tourism sets record revenue from January to October 2025.

“The start of the street Carnival marks a symbolic and very important moment for the city, when Rio reaffirms the value of this cultural expression that originates in the neighborhoods, occupies public spaces, and expresses the diversity, creativity, and identity of Rio’s residents. It is a pluralistic Carnival that brings together traditional celebrations and large street parties engaging with different audiences, ages, and parts of the city,” said Riotur President Bernardo Fellows in a statement.

The company also reports that this year’s street Carnival will have an extensive and decentralized schedule.

“The idea is to offer options for audiences of all ages and profiles – including street parties for children and families, in addition to those aimed at revelers seeking large gatherings, prominent musical attractions, and experiences with a strong cultural impact,” the statement reads.

Rio’s downtown area has the largest number of parades – a total of 135 scheduled performances – followed by the South Zone, with 99 parades, mainly on the Copacabana beachfront.

Attending a ceremony marking the 90th anniversary of the minimum wage in Brazil, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Friday (Jan. 16) that its current value is too low.

“We are not praising the value of the minimum wage – the minimum wage is really low in Brazil. We are praising the fact that back in 1936 a president created the possibility of establishing a wage that would guarantee workers their basic rights,” he declared.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil’s new monthly minimum wage set at BRL 1,621.

Among the rights mentioned by Lula in his speech are the right to housing, food, and education, as well as the right to come and go.

“Since it was created, the minimum wage has not fulfilled the requirements of the law’s intent,” he said during the ceremony in Rio de Janeiro.

New value

The new minimum wage – BRL 1,621 – came into effect on January 1 this year. The increase was 6.79 percent, or BRL 103, from 2025’s BRL 1,518.

The new minimum wage is expected to inject BRL 81.7 billion into the Brazilian economy. The calculation considers the effects on income, consumption, and tax collection, even in a scenario marked by stricter fiscal constraints.

The acupuncturist’s profession is now regulated in Brazil. The law that governs the professional practice of this ancient Chinese medicine therapy was enacted by President Lula and published this week.

“A set of techniques and therapies consisting of stimulating specific points on the human body through the use of appropriate needles and specific instruments and procedures,” acupuncture aims to “maintain or restore the balance of the physical and mental functions of the human body,” the piece of legislation reads.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil to monitor health conditions along Venezuela border.

The professional practice of this technique is primarily granted to those who hold a higher education degree in acupuncture, issued by a recognized institution.

The exercise of the profession is also open to those with a degree in a similar or equivalent course overseas, provided it is validated and registered with the competent authorities, as well as to higher education health professionals who hold a specialist title in acupuncture recognized by the applicable federal councils.

Authorization

Non-licensed professionals who have been practicing acupuncture continuously for at least five years are also authorized to practice the activity, provided they can prove their experience.

After the new law was signed, the Planalto presidential palace released a statement saying that the new rules guarantee the right to use isolated and specific acupuncture procedures as part of the regular practice of other health professions, as allowed by the relevant professional councils.

“In such cases, the professional must undergo a specific extension course taught by a recognized educational institution,” the government reported.

The United States will suspend, starting January 21, the issuance of immigrant visas to citizens of 75 countries, including Brazil. The measure was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday (Jan. 14) by the US State Department. Tourist visas will continue to be issued.

Besides Brazil, the list includes several other countries, such as Russia, Iran, Iraq, Colombia, Uruguay, Cuba, Haiti, and Yemen.

According to the statement, the measure stems from a “comprehensive review” of US policies, regulations, and guidelines being conducted “to ensure that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not utilize US social welfare programs or become a public burden.”

The statement notes that President Donald Trump “has made it clear that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and not represent a financial burden to Americans.”

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva received a phone call on Thursday (Jan. 15) from Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino. According to a statement released by the Planalto presidential palace, the two leaders discussed preparations for Lula’s visit to Panama on January 28, when he will participate in the opening of the International Economic Forum of Latin America and the Caribbean, organized by the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF).

During the visit, Lula will also hold a bilateral meeting with President Mulino to discuss issues related to trade, investment, and cooperation.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Lula hails Mercosur–EU deal as victory stemming from dialogue.
• Lula to meet European Union leaders in Rio.

Panama is one of the countries associated with Mercosur, a bloc formed by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

According to the Planalto statement, Lula and Mulino exchanged views on the situation in Venezuela and reiterated the need to preserve peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean. They also agreed on the need to strengthen the United Nations and defend international law and dialogue.

Brazilian vehicle production - which includes automobiles, light commercial vehicles, buses, and trucks - registered a 3.5 percent increase last year, totaling 2.64 million units. The data were released on Thursday (Jan. 15) by the National Association of Automotive Vehicle Manufacturers (Anfavea).

According to the association, this growth was driven mainly by light vehicles and keeps the country among the world’s largest producers.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazilian industry created over 910 thousand jobs in four years.

Sales totaled 2.69 million units, representing a 2.1 percent increase compared with the previous year. Exports grew by 32.1 percent, with nearly 529,000 units sold during the period.

“We expected more, but it wasn’t a bad year for the sector. Still, it was a year with positive data,” said the industry association’s president, Igor Calvet.

Brazilian vice-President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services Geraldo Alckmin, said on Thursday (Jan. 15) that possible sanctions by the US against Iran, as announced by US President Donald Trump, should not affect Brazil.

“The US has stated that it does not want trade with Iran. But Iran has 100 million people. European countries export to Iran, and most countries have some kind of export. In Brazil, our trade relationship with Iran is small,” he said.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil trade surplus hits record in December, shrinks in 2025.
• Brazil laments deaths in Iran, defends Iranian sovereignty.

“Super-tariffs are not so easy to enforce. You’d have to apply them in more than 70 countries around the world, including European countries,” he added, during an interview for EBC’s radio broadcast Bom Dia, Ministro.

Alckmin recalled there has been no executive order from the Trump administration that actually imposes sanctions on Iran. “We hope those will not be applied. Because export tax is a regulatory tax. It’s a different logic. And that would apply to the whole world,” he stated.

The minister also said that Brazil has no disputes with anyone.

“In Brazil, the last war was over a century ago. Brazil is a peaceful country that acts to promote peace whenever possible. What we want is peace. War leads to death and poverty. It’s the failure of good politics.”

Alckmin described the current geopolitical scenario as a difficult time for the world and a time for Brazil to be heard more.

“We will promote peace, strengthen multilateralism, and seek to improve people’s lives through employment and increased income. This is the right path, and this is the path Brazil is following.”

*Alex Rodrigues contributed to this article.

Created to help reduce healthcare-associated infections in public hospitals in Brazil, the “Health in Our Hands” project has achieved its goal. From September 2024 to October 2025, the initiative reduced these infections by 26 percent in adult, pediatric, and neonatal intensive care units (ICUs).

With this reduction in hospital infections, Brazil’s public healthcare network, the SUS, is estimated to have saved more than BRL 150 million during this period.

The “Health in Our Hands” project was developed by hospitals participating in the SUS Institutional Development Support Program (Proadi-SUS), run by the Ministry of Health.

The project’s goal is to work in Brazilian ICUs to reduce cases of primary bloodstream infections associated with central venous catheters, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and urinary tract infections associated with urinary catheters.

“‘Health in Our Hands’ is an initiative that generates a learning movement in which everyone teaches and everyone learns and that, most importantly, addresses measures to combat the three main healthcare-associated infections in ICUs. We are talking about serious infections caused by catheters [central venous, mechanical ventilation, and urinary], which increase morbidity, mortality, and hospital costs and can be avoided with effective prevention measures,” said Claudia Garcia, the project’s general coordinator, in a statement.

Estimates indicate that healthcare-associated infections can cause up to 3.5 million deaths each year worldwide. In Brazil, preventing each of these infections helps save between BRL 60,000 and BRL 110,000.

The project aims to reduce these hospital infections by 50 percent by the end of this year.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will meet this Friday (Jan. 16) in Rio de Janeiro with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, António Costa. According to the Planalto presidential palace, they are expected to discuss issues on the international agenda and the next steps for the Mercosur-European Union trade agreement, which was approved by the EU last week.

The meeting will take place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Palace in Rio de Janeiro and will be followed by a joint statement to the press.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil and Portugal seek to speed up Mercosur–EU agreement.
• Lula hails Mercosur–EU deal as victory stemming from dialogue.

After more than 25 years of negotiations, the agreement will create a free trade zone of 720 million people and will total a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of USD 22 trillion, according to the Brazilian government.

The ratification ceremony between the two blocs is scheduled for Saturday (17) in Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, with the attendance of European leaders and Mercosur foreign ministers. Paraguay currently holds the rotating presidency of Mercosur.

Implementation

On Tuesday (13), Lula spoke with Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, and the two agreed to work together quickly and efficiently to implement the agreement so that their populations can see concrete results from the partnership.

Although celebrated by governments and industrial sectors, the agreement still faces resistance from European farmers and environmentalists, who criticize its potential impacts on the climate and agricultural competition. Implementation will be gradual, and its practical effects are expected to be felt over several years.

In France, for example, farmers drove tractors into Paris on Tuesday, for the second time in a week, to protest against the agreement, which, according to the demonstrators, threatens local agriculture by creating unfair competition from cheaper South American imports.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke with Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro on Tuesday (Jan. 13). According to a statement from the Planalto presidential palace, the two leaders expressed satisfaction with the approval of the trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur, which should be signed on January 17 in Paraguay. The new treaty, which took 25 years to negotiate, still needs to undergo ratification by the signatory countries.

In his talk with Lula, the prime minister is said to have congratulated the Brazilian president on his efforts to conclude the deal. The two also discussed the need for the new rules to come into force as soon as possible.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Lula hails Mercosur–EU deal as victory stemming from dialogue.
• Brazil advocates integration of security data with Mercosur.
• Brazil unveils Mercosur Football Tourist Route.

“Both agreed that the decision of the two blocs is a major gesture in defense of multilateralism and free trade, with great political and strategic significance at this historic moment. They agreed to work together quickly and efficiently to implement the agreement so that the populations can see concrete results from the partnership,” the official note reads.

Lula and Montenegro also exchanged views on the situation in Venezuela and highlighted the need to avoid instability in South America.

The Brazilian government released an official statement on Tuesday (Jan. 13) expressing concern about the demonstrations in Iran.

The protests began on December 28 in response to rising living costs in the country. Later, protesters turned against those who have governed Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil signs international manifesto for central bank independence.
• Brazil donates military equipment to Uruguay, Paraguay.

In response to the protests, which have now spread across the country, Iranian authorities have used lethal force against the population. According to non-governmental organizations, at least 600 deaths have been recorded.

In the statement, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs laments the deaths and defends the Iranian people’s sovereignty in deciding the course of their country.

“By stressing that it is solely up to the Iranian people to decide, in a sovereign manner, on the future of their country, Brazil urges all actors to engage in peaceful, substantive, and constructive dialogue,” the statement said.

The Brazilian government reports that, so far, there are no Brazilians among the dead or injured. The embassy in Tehran is assisting the Brazilian community in Iran.

Threats

Iranian authorities accuse the US and Israel of fomenting the protests and have threatened to attack US bases.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that peaceful protests are tolerated in the country, but said the recent disturbances are provoked by “foreign terrorists” in an attempt to justify an invasion by the US and Israel.

Donald Trump has threatened to intervene in Iran with military forces. On Monday (12), he announced that he will impose a 25 percent tariff on “any country that does business with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

If the measure goes ahead, Brazil could be affected. Trump’s announcement has raised concerns about potential impacts on Brazilian trade, especially in agribusiness, the main beneficiary of trade relations with Tehran. The government is awaiting the publication of the US executive order before taking a position.

Brazil maintained trade of almost USD 3 billion with Iran in 2025, even though the country accounted for only 0.84 percent of Brazilian exports.

Brazilian tourism generated BRL 185 billion in revenue from January to October 2025, setting a new record for the sector. According to the most recent survey by the Federation of Commerce, Goods, Services and Tourism of São Paulo (FecomercioSP), the year was historic for Brazilian tourism and consolidated a trajectory of consecutive growth, especially in revenue.

FecomercioSP data show that revenue in these 10 months of 2025 was the highest since the survey began in 2011. Compared to the same period in 2024, the increase stood at 6.4 percent.

Virtually all segments analyzed showed growth. Passenger air transport stood out, with revenue of BRL 48 billion and a 10.2 percent rise compared to the period from January to October 2024. The food sector also posted solid results, with revenue reaching BRL 28.3 billion, up 6.2 percent over the same period.

The largest percentage growth was recorded in the accommodation sector, which generated BRL 22.6 billion in revenue from January to October. This represents an 11.2 percent growth compared to the same period in 2024.

October 2025 also registered a record, with revenue of BRL 19.4 billion, a growth of 6.5 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.

The tenth month of the year posted the third-best result in the historical annual series, behind only January, when the sector’s revenue reached BRL 21.2 billion, and July, with BRL 19.7 billion.

In the year-to-date figures, the largest increases in revenue in the sector were recorded in the states of Rio Grande do Sul (13.5%), Amazonas (11.1%), and Bahia (9.6%).

The president of the Brazilian Central Bank, Gabriel Galípolo, on Tuesday (Jan. 13) signed an international manifesto in defense of the independence of monetary authorities and in support of US Federal Reserve (FED) Chair Jerome Powell. The initiative comes amid attacks by US President Donald Trump, who is pushing for a faster reduction in interest rates in the country.

According to the Central Bank, the joint statement “reaffirms the technical autonomy of institutions as a central pillar of global economic stability” at a time of growing political tensions surrounding monetary policy decisions both abroad and in Brazil.

Monetary autonomy

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil’s Central Bank keeps base interest rate at 15% per annum.
• Keeping interest rates at 15% worries Brazilian productive sector.

In the manifesto, central bank presidents emphasize that institutional independence is “fundamental to ensuring price stability and the well-being of citizens,” never disregarding the rule of law, transparency, and democratic accountability.

By signing the text, Galípolo positions Brazil alongside institutions such as the European Central Bank, the Bank of England, and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) – a Swiss-based body that functions as the central bank of central banks. Monetary authorities from Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Australia, and South Korea also signed the document.

Powell’s term ends in May this year.

On Monday (12), Galípolo met with Brazil’s Federal Court of Accounts President Vital do Rêgo to discuss the issue. Market participants believe that publicly defending the independence of central banks works to reinforce confidence in the technical conduct of monetary policy amid a global scenario of increased volatility and uncertainty.

Two laws formalizing the donation of four Brazilian aircraft and military equipment to Paraguay and Uruguay were sanctioned on Monday (Jan. 12).

In addition to two 412 Classic helicopters manufactured by Bell Aircraft Corporation and operated by the Federal Police, Brazil will donate six M108 self-propelled howitzer armored combat vehicles to Paraguay, as well as a floating aluminum walkway - a type of bridge that can be installed over rivers and other waterways - belonging to the Army.

In the case of Uruguay, the National Navy will receive two Bell Jet Ranger III (IH-6B) helicopters transferred from the Brazilian Navy.

Signed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Defense Minister José Múcio Monteiro Filho, the laws were proposed by the Executive Branch, which argued that the initiative seeks to strengthen diplomatic relations and military cooperation between Brazil and its two neighboring countries.

According to the Brazilian presidential palace, the measure will contribute to the modernization and expansion of the operational capabilities of Paraguayan and Uruguayan security forces, improving regional security, “with increased capacity to respond to emergency situations and combat transnational crime.”

The aircraft and other equipment will be donated in their “current state of conservation,” and the expenses related to their relocation from their locations to the borders of Paraguay and Uruguay will be covered by Brazil.

Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) issued an orange storm warning on Monday (Jan. 12) for the coastal areas of the states of São Paulo, in the Southeast, and Paraná and Santa Catarina, in the South.

The increased rainfall is still an effect of the passage of an extratropical cyclone, which caused damage in cities in both the South and the Southeast over the weekend.

Notícias relacionadas:

• After cyclone, 800,000 São Paulo residents remain without power.
• Brazil: 92% of municipalities have already recorded climate disasters.

The cyclone has begun to move away from the continent toward the ocean, but the alert remains in place for heavy rainfall, which could reach up to 100 millimeters (mm) per day, and intense winds with gusts of 60 to 100 kilometers per hour (km/h).

The extratropical cyclone formed last Friday (9), affecting the Southern states of Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul.

In Rio Grande do Sul, 18 cities were affected by increased precipitation and strong winds that caused trees to fall, areas to be flooded, and roofs to be blown off houses. In Santa Catarina, the Civil Defense reported that, by Monday, 15 municipalities had registered damage affecting 91 houses and five public structures.

Last Saturday (10), the municipality of São José dos Pinhais, in Paraná, recorded a tornado with winds reaching 180 km/h. The phenomenon was classified by the authorities as category F2 on the Fujita scale, which goes up to five.

The tornado is said to have affected 1,200 people and damaged 350 homes. Two people were slightly injured.

Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) has consolidated 2024 data for all Brazilian biomes. Analysis of the images from previously released alerts confirmed a reduction in the loss of natural vegetation in most monitored biomes compared to 2023.

The figures a shrinkage in deforestation from 2023 to 2024 in the following biomes:

• Amazon – 28.09%;
• Non-forest area in the Amazon – 5.27%;
• Cerrado – 25.76%;
• Atlantic forest – 37.89%; and
• Pampa – 20.08%.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Deforestación ilegal en Amazonas alcanza el 62%.
• Extractivists march for recognition in forest protection.

The caatinga and the pantanal were the only ones with a higher suppression of native vegetation. The rates were 9.93 percent for the caatinga and 16.5 percent for the pantanal.

According to a technical note from the institute, only the removal of native vegetation cover is seen as suppression, regardless of the characteristics of the vegetation and the future use of the area. The analysis is based on satellite images of areas with suppression – which are automatically identified and classified using vegetation indices, then subjected to visual interpretation.

Silvana Amaral, deputy coordinator of the institute’s program for Brazilian biomes, notes that the decline in deforestation in most biomes from 2023 to 2024 confirms the effectiveness and role of command and control public policies, as well as regulatory tools such as agreements and terms of conduct signed between society and the agricultural trade and export sectors.

The consolidation of data serves to gauge medium- and long-term trends in deforestation in Brazil, complementing preliminary results. It provides support for the development and implementation of public environmental policies.

The Brazilian Ministry of Finance celebrated the official inflation result for 2025. The Broad National Consumer Price Index (IPCA) ended the year at 4.26 percent, within the target system and marking the fifth-lowest rate recorded since 1995, the start of the Real Plan, as announced on Friday (Jan. 9).

The ministry’s executive secretary, Dario Durigan, who is serving as acting Minister of Finance during Fernando Haddad’s vacation, said the result consolidates a scenario of greater economic stability and reinforces the government’s goal of delivering the lowest accumulated inflation of a presidential term since the creation of the Real.

Notícias relacionadas:

• November’s 0.18% inflation brings rate back to target.
• Brazilian economy grows 0.1% in third quarter.

“The 4.26 percent rate is the lowest IPCA since 2018. But in 2018, unemployment was at 11.6 percent. Now it’s at 5.2 percent. We are delivering low inflation and low unemployment,” stated Durigan in a social media post.

Another point highlighted by Durigan was the more moderate behavior of food prices, which rose by 1.43 percent during the year, contributing to the slowdown in the overall index. In the food and beverage group, inflation stood at 2.95 percent, well below the 7.69 percent recorded in 2024.

“With the economic and fiscal stability that we have restored to Brazil, we are reaping strong GDP growth, low unemployment, increased real labor income, and declines in poverty, extreme poverty, and inequality. Make no mistake: 2026 will be no different!” he declared.

In 2025, official inflation remained below the target ceiling of 4.5 percent, amid a contractionary monetary policy stance, with the benchmark interest rate at 15 percent per year, the highest level since 2006.

Planning

The Minister of Planning, Simone Tebet, also celebrated the result. In a social media post, she highlighted the positive impact of the slowdown in prices on the cost of living for the population.

“As important as staying within the target is the low inflation for the item that matters most: food. Less than half of the 2024 level. More food on the table for Brazilians, who saw a real increase in the minimum wage,” she added.

Brazilian cinema experienced a historic night this Sunday (Jan. 11) at the Golden Globes, held at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles (USA). The film The Secret Agent, directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, won two of the ceremony’s main categories: Best non-English Film and Best Actor in a Drama Film, awarded to Wagner Moura.

Despite the impressive performance, the Brazilian film did not win the Best Drama award, the ceremony’s main category, which went to Hamnet. Even so, the so-called “Brazilian night” consolidated the country’s presence among the highlights of the awards.

Notícias relacionadas:

• “The Secret Agent” wins Critics’ Choice Award as Best Foreign Film.
• “The Secret Agent” to represent Brazil at 2026 Oscars.

The announcement of Best non-English Film was made by actors Orlando Bloom and Minnie Driver. Upon revealing the winner, Driver greeted the Brazilian audience with the word “Parabéns,” meaning “Congratulations” in Portuguese. In the category, The Secret Agent surpassed productions from five countries: Sentimental Value (Norway), Sirât (Spain), No Other Choice (South Korea), The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia), and It Was Just an Accident (France).

Upon receiving the statuette, Kleber Mendonça Filho began his speech by saying: “I want to say hello to Brazil: hello, Brazil.” He then thanked Brazilian distributor Vitrine Filmes, his producer and partner Emilie, as well as the crew and cast. “Thank you, Wagner Moura. The best things happen when you have a great actor and a great friend. I dedicate this film to young filmmakers. This is a great moment,” the director stated.

Best actor

Wagner Moura made history by becoming the first Brazilian to win the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama Film. In his acceptance speech, he spoke in Portuguese and celebrated Brazilian culture. “Long live Brazilian culture,” the actor said, highlighting his partnership with Kleber Mendonça Filho, whom he described as “a genius,” as well as the friendship built throughout the project.

Besides Wagner Moura, the nominees in the category were Joel Edgerton (Train Dreams), Oscar Isaac (Frankenstein), Dwayne Johnson (The Smashing Machine), Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), and Jeremy Allen White (Springsteen).

With two statuettes and strong international impact, The Secret Agent reinforces Brazil’s status as one of the leading protagonists of the current awards season in world cinema.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on social media that he was happy with the award and congratulated the team on their victory. “Long live Brazilian cinema, which continues to be a source of pride on the world’s main stages,” he stated.

“The Secret Agent is an essential film to ensure that the violence of the dictatorship and the resilience of the Brazilian people are not forgotten,” the president added.