Lula Warns Trump: ‘Brazil’s Democracy Isn’t for Sale’

In a pointed rebuke that has stirred international headlines, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued a stern warning to former U.S. President Donald Trump, declaring that “Brazil’s democracy isn’t for sale.” The statement came in response to growing concerns within Latin America about alleged U.S. political influence operations and reports of American conservative figures engaging with right-wing movements in Brazil.

Speaking at a regional summit in São Paulo, Lula criticized what he described as foreign attempts to “manipulate and monetize” democratic institutions in South America. Without naming names initially, Lula later confirmed that his comments were aimed directly at Trump and a handful of U.S.-based political operatives whom he accused of backing anti-democratic forces in Brazil. “We fought hard for our democracy,” Lula said. “We won’t allow outsiders Donald Trump — whether former presidents or political influencers — to interfere with it.”