Brazil Justice Minister, Supreme Court Justice Meet Amid Police Tensions

Justice Minister Wellington Lima e Silva met with Supreme Court Justice André Mendonça in an effort to defuse a brewing conflict between the judiciary and the Federal Police. The meeting, held at the Superior Electoral Court, saw Mendonça ask Lima e Silva to ensure the Federal Police maintained its investigative independence. The Justice Minister reportedly assured Mendonça that this independence is already a given.

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Preserve the independence of the PF in its investigations.

The encounter was facilitated by Attorney General Jorge Messias, who has a good rapport with both officials. Sources indicate President Lula was pleased with the initiative, which aimed to prevent a formal legal dispute. The Director-General of the Federal Police, Andrei Rodrigues, was not present at the meeting.

Within the Federal Police, there is uncertainty about whether the meeting will lead to practical changes. Some within the organization are awaiting the Attorney General's Office's response to a request challenging measures imposed by Mendonça that increased his oversight of cases. However, government insiders suggest the Attorney General's Office is unlikely to take action and that differences will be settled through conversation.

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This is already guaranteed.

Mendonça may, on a case-by-case basis, adjust the Federal Police's access to investigations within his purview. These include two inquiries involving President Lula's son, Fábio Luís Lula da Silva, known as Lulinha, who is suspected of influence peddling. Another inquiry is under the purview of Minister Flávio Dino. Mutual accusations of political bias have surfaced regarding operations like "Sem Desconto" and "Compliance Zero."

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We trust in the direction of the organ, headed by Andrei Rodrigues, and in its commitment 'with the defense of the Constitution, democracy, legality and the public interest'.

Earlier on Thursday, 27 Federal Police superintendents released a public statement expressing confidence in their leadership and commitment to the constitution, democracy, legality, and public interest. They asserted that their investigative work is not subject to political or personal interests but strictly to the law. Mendonça reportedly agreed with the statement's sentiment and did not see his criticisms reflected in it. The superintendents emphasized that the organization's credibility stems from its technical and independent work, guided solely by facts, evidence, and legal controls.

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Its investigative activity 'is not subject to political, ideological or personal interests, but to the strict fulfillment of the law'.