Lula rebuffs Rubio, touts sovereignty at convention sealing PDT support

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva directly challenged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a key figure in imposing tariffs on Brazil, accusing him of bad faith in negotiations. Lula's remarks came during the national convention of the Democratic Labour Party (PDT), an event heavily focused on national sovereignty and the fight against the global far-right.

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If U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wants to come support my opponent, let him form a committee and come, because we will defeat them all in the name of defending democracy in this country.

The PDT officially endorsed Lula's presidential bid at the convention, marking a significant campaign event for the president. Lula expressed his determination to win the election in the first round, stating, "If U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wants to come support my opponent, let him form a committee and come, because we will defeat them all in the name of defending democracy in this country."

The convention also saw PT party president Edinho Silva urging unity, stating, "We must seek much more what unites us than what divides us." He emphasized the election's importance for Latin America, signaling that overcoming the far-right is possible with Lula's victory.

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We must seek much more what unites us than what divides us.

Historically, the PDT has nominated Ciro Gomes for president. This year, however, the party's leadership, including PDT leader in the Chamber of Deputies André Figueiredo, pushed back against notions of the party's demise after Gomes's departure. Figueiredo declared, "Dead nothing. We returned to being who we were."

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Dead nothing. We returned to being who we were.

The article also touches upon past controversies, including the PDT's involvement in investigations into embezzlement of INSS benefits, which led to the temporary removal of then-Social Security Minister Carlos Lupi. Lupi has since returned to lead the PDT. Senator Weverton Rocha, also from PDT, was mentioned in relation to alleged hidden partnerships in the INSS irregularities. Despite these issues, the party's current jingle and speeches align with Lula's government, promoting an end to the 6x1 work shift, national sovereignty, and opposing Donald Trump and the far-right.

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When the PDT makes a political and strategic decision to support Lula's re-election, it is not a position of giving up its projects and building to be a protagonist of a cause for Brazil. We will have this at some point, and we will dream of seeing the PT support this project.