"Brasil does not fit in anyone's backyard," says Lula in UN speech

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva once again defended the sovereignty of the countries, citing specifically the scenarios of Latin America and Brazil, where, according to the president, there are attempts of foreign influence on national political processes.

Lula said the Latin American and Caribbean region coexists with pressures stemming from proximity to major powers.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, the geographical proximity to the world’s largest military power is inescapable, especially in the context of the recrudescence of hegemonic temptations. Brazil does not fit in anyone’s backyard,” he said during the opening ceremony of the 81st UN General Assembly on Tuesday in New York.

“We are once again witnessing external interference in electoral processes, the division of the world into zones of influence and neocolonial investments with strategic resources constitute anachronistic gestures,” he said, citing recent contexts recorded in Venezuela, Nicaragua, Haiti and Cuba.

According to the president, the region has come a long way in consolidating democratic regimes after periods of dictatorship and authoritarianism. In this context, he advocated 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 further integration among neighbours. The countries of the region have acknowledged the horrors of the regimes of exception. We have come a long way to restore the will of the people," he said.

Democracy in Sheikh

Lula also warned of what he called the return of practices incompatible with the contemporary international order. “Democracy is in check again,” he said. The world has again witnessed “external interference in electoral processes,” the division of countries into zones of influence and “neo-colonial investments” in search of strategic resources.

Citing countries in the region, the president said that each people should define its own path. The Venezuelan people must decide their fate without external interference, while Nicaragua will not solve its problems by preventing the opposition from participating in the elections.

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

Disinformation networks

Lula also cited the operation of disinformation networks during electoral campaigns and said that the Brazilian state will be attentive to possible attempts to interfere.

"We do not underestimate the challenge of disinformation networks that intend to contaminate public debate during the campaign," he said.

He then stressed confidence in the country’s institutions and electoral system.

"We will not allow the enemies of democracy, internal or external, to attack the will of the people. Brazil will remain a sovereign country. No one will take us away from this path,” he said.

Negationism

Lula also highlighted the dangers of so-called fake news, especially with regard to scientific findings on topics such as health and meio ambiente. “In the age of disinformation, obscurantists resist the evidence of science,” he said, defending the fight against denial.

"We will never forget the millions of lives lost by neglect in the fight against Covid-19. Campaigns against vaccines are bringing back diseases we thought were eradicated. Weakening the World Health Organization (WHO) makes everyone more vulnerable.”

“Until recently, the response to climate change was consolidated at the center of the international agenda. This year, the theme disappeared from the debates of the G7 and G20, forums that bring together the world’s largest carbon emitters. It is time to resume the offensive and impose a defeat on denial.”

Public safety

In dealing with public security, Lula rejected the participation of foreign forces in the fight against organized crime on national territory and advocated international cooperation in specific areas, such as the fight against arms trafficking and money laundering.

"We will not transfer the responsibility to defend our borders and to guarantee the people the right to live without fear," he said.

The president added that confronting the crime should take place through cooperation between governments, not through external military actions.

"We don't need aircraft carriers watching our waters; we need cooperation to halt the flow of weapons and money that fuels organized crime," he said.

According to Lula, Brazil submitted to the Estados Unidos a proposal for cooperation to combat money laundering carried out by Brazilian criminals abroad.

The president also stated that the country has been strengthening coordination between the states and expanding actions to combat organizações criminosas.

With information from Agência Brasil.

 

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