Lula tells interim governor to arrest 'thieves' and 'militiamen' who control Rio de Janeiro state

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has publicly endorsed interim Rio de Janeiro Governor Ricardo Couto, stating that the Supreme Court's decision to keep him in office until an election model is decided was "correct."

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If the Assembly had to indicate someone, it would be a militiaman. So take advantage of these six months you have – or ten months – and do what many people haven't done in ten years in this state.

Speaking at an event in Rio, Lula called Couto to the stage, where the governor was met with applause. "If the Assembly had to indicate someone, it would be a militiaman. So take advantage of these six months you have – or ten months – and do what many people haven't done in ten years in this state," Lula urged.

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work to arrest all the thieves who govern this state and the deputies who are part of an organized militia.

Lula also directly called on Couto to "work to arrest all the thieves who govern this state and the deputies who are part of an organized militia." Couto, who is also the president of the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice, assumed the governorship in March after the previous governor resigned ahead of an electoral court conviction.

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It is not possible for this powerful, beautiful state to be governed by militiamen. The people of Rio do not deserve this.

"It is not possible for this powerful, beautiful state to be governed by militiamen. The people of Rio do not deserve this," Lula declared. He concluded by assuring Couto of "any help needed to combat organized crime and militiamen" from the federal government.

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Any help needed to combat organized crime and militiamen, count on the federal government.