Brazil Minister: US Seeks 'Useful Traitors' in Region, Not Leaders Like Milei or Bolsonaro

Guilherme Boulos, Brazil's Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency, has strongly criticized U.S. foreign policy in Latin America, labeling it "imperialist and neocolonial." Boulos, who acts as a key liaison between the Brazilian government and social movements, made these remarks in an exclusive interview with LA NACION.

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That tariff increase is the product of two factors. On the one hand, of an internal betrayal. In Brazil, we have a far-right group, the Bolsonaro family, that acted clearly, in broad daylight, to sanction their own country, against jobs and Brazilian companies for the benefit of Donald Trump. They are a group of traitors and submissive to the United States.

Boulos accused the right-wing Bolsonaro family in Brazil of acting as "traitors" and being "submissive to the United States," alleging they worked to sanction their own country, harming Brazilian jobs and companies for Donald Trump's benefit. He contrasted this with the current Lula da Silva administration, stating, "What they don't assimilate about President Lula is that there was no submission here. The Brazilian government never bowed its head or knelt before their demands."

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On the other hand, we see the imperialist and neocolonial interventionism of the United States in Latin America, which is very worrying. Since the end of World War II, we have not seen such open imperialism as that led by Trump.

Regarding a potential new U.S. tariff increase against Brazil, Boulos attributed it to "internal betrayal" and U.S. interventionism. He warned that if the U.S. imposes tougher tariffs, Brazil will actively seek alternative trade partners. "Brazil will seek other commercial partners such as China, Europe – through the Mercosur-European Union agreement – Africa, and naturally, our neighbors," he stated.

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What they don't assimilate about President Lula is that there was no submission here. The Brazilian government never bowed its head or knelt before their demands.

Boulos also commented on Argentine President Javier Milei, characterizing his libertarian project as a "regression for the entire region" and calling Milei an "eccentric" figure serving U.S. interests. In a lighter moment, Boulos playfully conceded that Lionel Messi is a better footballer than Neymar, whom he identified with "bolsonarismo."

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If they impose tougher tariffs, Brazil will seek other commercial partners such as China, Europe – through the Mercosur-European Union agreement – Africa, and naturally, our neighbors.