Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva once again defended countries’ sovereignty, specifically citing the situations in Latin America and Brazil, where, he stated, attempts have been made to exert foreign influence over national political processes.

He said that the problems facing Latin America and the Caribbean stem from the region’s proximity to major powers.

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“In Latin America and the Caribbean, geographical proximity to the world’s greatest military power is inescapable, especially in the context of resurgent hegemonic ambitions. Brazil wouldn’t fit in anyone’s backyard,” he said during a speech at the opening ceremony of the 81st UN General Assembly on Tuesday (Sep. 22) in New York.

“We are once again witnessing foreign interference in electoral processes. The division of the world into spheres of influence and neocolonial encroachments on strategic resources are anachronistic acts,” he noted, citing recent events in Venezuela, Nicaragua, Haiti, and Cuba.

The region, he went on to declare, has come a long way toward consolidating democratic regimes following periods of dictatorship and authoritarianism. In this context, he advocated for greater regional integration and respect for the self-determination of peoples.

“We need partners with a positive agenda that fosters development. Ideological differences should not be an obstacle to greater integration among neighbors. The countries of the region have recognized the horrors of authoritarian regimes. We have come a long way toward restoring the will of the people,” he stated.

Democracy under threat

President Lula also warned of what he described as a resurgence of practices incompatible with the contemporary international order. “Democracy is once again under threat,” he said.

When mentioning countries in the Americas, the president stated that each nation must chart its own course. In his view, the Venezuelan people must decide their own fate without external interference, while Nicaragua will not solve its problems by preventing the opposition from participating in elections.

He also mentioned the humanitarian crisis in Haiti and once again criticized the economic embargo imposed on Cuba.

Networks of disinformation

The Brazilian leader also mentioned the influence of disinformation networks during election campaigns and stated that the Brazilian government will be vigilant against possible attempts at interference.

“We do not underestimate the challenge posed by disinformation networks that seek to distort public debate during the campaign,” he declared.

He then emphasized his confidence in the country’s institutions and electoral system. “We will not allow the enemies of democracy, whether internal or external, to undermine the will of the people. Brazil will remain a sovereign nation. No one will divert us from this path,” he declared.

Denialism

Lula also highlighted the dangers of fake news, especially regarding scientific findings on issues such as health and the environment. “In the age of disinformation, obscurantists resist scientific evidence,” he said, while advocating for the fight against denialism.

“We will never forget the millions of lives lost due to the failure to adequately address COVID-19. Anti-vaccine campaigns are bringing back diseases we thought had been eradicated. Weakening the World Health Organization makes everyone more vulnerable.”

“Until recently, the response to climate change was firmly established at the center of the international agenda. This year, the issue has disappeared from the debates at the G7 and G20 – forums that bring together the world’s largest carbon emitters. It is time to go back on the offensive and defeat denialism.”

Public safety

When addressing public safety, Lula rejected the involvement of foreign forces in combating organized crime on national territory and advocated for international cooperation in specific areas, such as combating arms trafficking and money laundering.

“We will not transfer the responsibility for defending our borders and guaranteeing the people the right to live without fear,” he stated.

The president added that the fight against crime must be carried out through cooperation among governments, not through external military actions. “We don’t need aircraft carriers patrolling our waters; we need cooperation to stem the flow of weapons and money that fuels organized crime.”

According to Lula, Brazil has presented the US with a proposal for cooperation to combat money laundering carried out by Brazilian criminals abroad.

The president also stated that Brazil has been strengthening coordination among the states and expanding efforts to combat criminal organizations.