Valdemar: Castro will only run for Senate if ineligibility is reversed

Valdemar Costa Neto, the national president of the Liberal Party (PL), declared that former Rio de Janeiro Governor Cláudio Castro will only be a candidate for the Senate if he successfully overturns his ineligibility ruling. Costa Neto cited Castro's popularity in Rio de Janeiro's interior and his association with public security issues as reasons for his potential candidacy, which he believes is relevant to Senator Flávio Bolsonaro's presidential campaign.

Castro has been the target of two federal police operations in the past 12 days. The most recent, on Tuesday, investigated the application of R$970 million from Rioprevidência, the state's pension fund, into investments linked to Banco Master. The bank is suspected of operating high-risk credits and has since been liquidated by the Central Bank. Castro's defense denied any improper relationship with the bank's owner, Daniel Vorcaro.

Earlier in May, Castro was investigated in an operation concerning alleged ties between his administration and the Refit Group, identified by the Federal Revenue Service as Brazil's largest tax evader. Police seized Castro's phone and tablet, alleging he created a favorable environment for the group to commit billions in tax fraud within the fuel sector. His defense also denied any wrongdoing in this case.

Adding to his legal challenges, Castro was declared ineligible until 2030 by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) for abuse of political and economic power during the 2022 elections. The court found he created over 27,000 irregular commissioned positions to employ campaign workers. He resigned from his governorship just before the trial to avoid a direct cassation ruling.