Lula challenges Marco Rubio to form electoral committee for Flávio in Brazil: 'We will defeat them all'

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has issued a direct challenge to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, inviting him to Brazil to support presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro. The statement came during an event where the PDT party announced its alliance with Lula for his re-election campaign.

"I am inviting anyone from the world who wants to come see the elections here in Brazil. Whoever wants to can come and observe. If the American Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, wants to come support my adversary, let him come. Let him form the committee. Because we will defeat them all in the name of defending democracy in Brazil," Lula declared.

This public exchange between Lula and Rubio is part of an ongoing dispute. Tensions have risen over U.S. tariffs imposed on Brazil and the American government's designation of the First Capital Command (PCC) and the Red Command (CV) as terrorist organizations. Rubio recently criticized Lula's administration on social media, stating the Brazilian president "prioritized his own ego" and did not "negotiate in good faith" following a 25% tariff increase. Rubio has also characterized Brazil as an "exception" in a Latin American region largely aligned with U.S. government interests.

Lula previously referred to Rubio as a "frustrated Latin American" who dislikes Brazil. The friction between the two leaders intensified following a report by The New York Times, which alleged Rubio has been acting as the de facto ruler of Venezuela since January, maintaining close contact with the country's president, Delcy Rodríguez, and reportedly controlling its finances and resource distribution.

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I am inviting anyone from the world who wants to come see the elections here in Brazil. Whoever wants to can come and observe. If the American Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, wants to come support my adversary, let him come. Let him form the committee. Because we will defeat them all in the name of defending democracy in Brazil.