Lula reinforces sovereignty discourse at military submarine center

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva underscored the importance of national sovereignty during a visit to a military facility developing the country's first nuclear-powered submarine. The vessel's construction is a "priority," Lula stated, emphasizing that true sovereignty requires military preparedness.

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We do not have national sovereignty just by making speeches; we must be prepared so that (other countries) know we have the strength to say 'no.'

"We do not have national sovereignty just by making speeches; we must be prepared so that (other countries) know we have the strength to say 'no,'" the president declared. He added that Brazil, given its size, cannot perpetually remain in a subservient position.

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Brazil, with the size of its territory, cannot be with its 'head bowed' forever.

Lula committed to securing the necessary resources to "finish once and for all" the submarine project, which has faced budget-related delays and is now expected to be completed in 2038. These statements reinforce his recent emphasis on sovereignty, particularly as the October elections approach and tensions with the U.S. administration under Donald Trump escalate.

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finish once and for all

During his campaign launch, Lula asserted that Brazil would not allow foreign powers to extract its critical minerals, insisting they would be processed domestically for the benefit of the population. He has been a vocal critic of Trump's interventionist policies, especially concerning Venezuela, accusing the U.S. president of acting like a "world emperor." His government has also denounced recent U.S. actions, such as revoking the visa of Brazil's ambassador to Washington, as attempts to interfere in the elections and support right-wing candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, Lula's main rival.

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emperor of the world