Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated Tuesday (Apr. 14) that the US war against Iran led by Donald Trump is reckless and that the US president does not need to threaten the world. He also expressed solidarity with Pope Leo XIV, who exchanged critical remarks with Trump this week.

In Lula’s view, Trump uses rhetoric to try to please the public and convey the idea that the US is an “omnipotent country, of a superior people.” He stated that he admires the US as the world’s largest economy, but this is the result of the hard work of its people.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazilian bishops express support for Pope Leo XIV.
• Brazilian fugitive Alexandre Ramagem arrested in US.

“This isn’t because of the president’s authoritarianism. It’s because of the economic situation, the country’s importance, and the level of higher education they have. So Trump didn’t need to go around threatening the world,” President Lula said.

“Trump’s threats are not good for democracy. This war with Iran is reckless,” he added, highlighting the conflict’s consequences for the economy, particularly fuel prices.

On Sunday (12), while commenting on the pope’s criticism of US actions in Iran and Venezuela, Trump stated that Leo XIV is “terrible at foreign policy” and asked him to stop pandering to the radical left. The pope responded that he is not afraid of the US president and that he believes in the Gospel’s message of peace.

“I met with him [Pope Leo XIV] and was very impressed. [I wish] to stand in solidarity with him, because his criticism of President Trump is correct. No one needs to be afraid of anyone,” Lula said in an interview with journalists.

Alexandre Ramagem

Lula also mentioned the recent partnership between Brazil and the US aimed at combating international arms and drug trafficking, and commented on the arrest of former federal representative Alexandre Ramagem by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“I think Ramagem is going to come here. The right wing here in Brazil is saying he was arrested for a minor [traffic] fine, but that’s not true. He was arrested. He had already been sentenced to 16 years in this country [Brazil]. He was a coup plotter who’s been convicted. He has to return to Brazil to serve his sentence,” Lula declared.

The Brazilian Federal Police stated in a press release that Alexandre Ramagem’s arrest by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) resulted from “international police cooperation between Brazil’s Federal Police and US law enforcement authorities.”

According to the Federal Police, Ramagem was detained in Orlando.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil bigger than coup plotters, Lula says at Supreme Court ceremony.
• Rally in Rio recalls January 8, rejects amnesty for coup plotters.
• Lula recalls coup attempt, says democracy must be protected.

“The detainee is considered a fugitive from Brazilian justice following his conviction for the crimes of participation in an armed criminal organization, attempted coup d’état, and attempted violent abolition of the rule of law,” the statement read.

The US Department of Homeland Security’s website lists Ramagem as “in ICE custody.”

Conviction

In September last year, Alexandre Ramagem fled Brazil after the Supreme Court sentenced him to 16 years, 1 month, and 15 days in prison for attempted coup d’état, participation in a criminal organization, and attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law.

Despite being barred from leaving the country, the former congressman crossed the border into Guyana and traveled to the United States using a diplomatic passport that had not been confiscated.

Ramagem’s name appears on Interpol’s list of wanted fugitives. Through its embassy in Washington, the Brazilian government has requested Alexandre Ramagem’s extradition from the United States. The petition was submitted to the State Department in late December 2025.

Ramagem served as director-general of the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (ABIN) during the administration of Jair Bolsonaro (2019–2022) and lost his seat in Congress in December 2025 following a House Steering Committee decision after his conviction by Brazil’s Supreme Court.

Alexandre Ramagem was a career Federal Police officer who was dismissed following his conviction.

*TV Brasil and Rádio Nacional contributed to this report.