Brazilian Candidate Advocates Nuclear Weapons, State of Exception in Favelas, Defiance of Supreme Court

Presidential candidate Renan Santos has advocated for Brazil to develop nuclear weapons, stating that possessing atomic bombs is essential for the nation to become a world power and ensure its sovereignty. During a televised debate, Santos argued that nuclear arms would provide a "deterrent power" to ensure Brazil's resources, including rare earths, food, and energy, are respected, preventing the country from adopting a "submissive position" in international affairs.

"In the future, if Brazil wants to be one of the five largest nations in the world, it will need to have sovereignty, sovereignty over its own territory, military sovereignty, and it will have to discuss having atomic bombs," he stated. Santos believes this military capability is crucial for Brazil to assert itself on the global stage and protect its national interests.

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In the future, if Brazil wants to be one of the five largest nations in the world, it will need to have sovereignty, sovereignty over its own territory, military sovereignty, and it will have to discuss having atomic bombs.

Beyond foreign policy, Santos proposed a drastic approach to combating organized crime within Brazil. He called for a "state of exception" in the country's favelas, describing his plan as a "war against organized crime." While claiming to be a "pacifist," he outlined measures that echo those implemented in El Salvador under President Nayib Bukele. These include ending the presumption of innocence for those deemed "enemies of the nation" and constructing massive prisons capable of holding 30,000 to 40,000 inmates each.

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What I defend is the creation and declaration of a war against organized crime. It is the acceptance of a reality that is already true for Brazilians. We need a war against them, that's the first point.

Santos estimated the annual cost for police operations in Rio de Janeiro alone at R$5 billion. He suggested that members of criminal factions should be treated differently from ordinary citizens, advocating for harsher penalties for crimes involving weapons, reduced trial times, and easier access to preliminary injunctions for operations. He also indicated a willingness to defy judicial decisions, stating, "Illegal judicial decisions are not to be complied with."

Specifically, Santos mentioned he would not follow Supreme Court rulings he deems "illegal." As an example, he cited a recent decision by Justice Alexandre de Moraes to break journalistic source confidentiality, which Santos called "grotesque." He clarified that such refusals would not be arbitrary, but would involve seeking legal opinions to evaluate the situation before acting.

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Illegal judicial decisions are not to be complied with.