Lula Criticizes “Traitors to the Homeland” and Declares That “Brazil Does Not Take Orders from Anyone”

Brazilian President’s Independence Day Address Targets Foreign Pressure Over Bolsonaro Trial

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Saturday sharply criticized what he called “traitors to the homeland” and asserted that Brazil will not “take orders” from any foreign power. His remarks, delivered in an official address, appeared to be a direct response to pressure from the United States regarding the ongoing trial of former president Jair Bolsonaro for alleged coup plotting.

“We are not, nor will we ever again be, anyone’s colony. We are capable of governing and caring for our land and our people without interference from any foreign government,” Lula declared in a five-minute speech broadcast on national radio and television to mark Brazil’s Independence Day, which falls on Sunday.

The leftist leader emphasized that while Brazil maintains “friendly relations with all countries,” it will not “accept orders from anyone” because “Brazil has only one owner: the Brazilian people.”

“We will defend our democracy and resist anyone who tries to undermine it,” he vowed.

Implicit Message to Trump

Lula’s comments were widely interpreted as a veiled reference to U.S. President Donald Trump, who has imposed sanctions on Brazil’s Supreme Court justices and on the country itself in retaliation for Bolsonaro’s trial. Trump, a close political ally of Bolsonaro, has denounced the proceedings as a “witch hunt.”

Wearing a tie in the colors of Brazil’s national flag, Lula underscored that the country’s Constitution guarantees “the independence of the three branches of government.”

“This means that the president of Brazil cannot interfere in the decisions of the Brazilian judiciary—contrary to what others would like to impose on our country,” he said.

Bolsonaro Faces Lengthy Prison Term

Bolsonaro is currently on trial before the Supreme Court, accused of “leading” a conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2022 election, which he lost to Lula, and of attempting to remain in power through undemocratic means.

The former head of state, now under house arrest, faces a potential prison sentence of up to 40 years if convicted. Alongside him stand several former ministers from his 2019–2022 administration, as well as senior military officials.

Reference to Eduardo Bolsonaro

Lula also made an implicit reference to another investigation targeting the Bolsonaro family.

He condemned “the unacceptable role of certain Brazilian politicians who encourage attacks against Brazil,” alluding to Bolsonaro’s son, Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro.

Both Jair and Eduardo Bolsonaro are under investigation for allegedly attempting to obstruct the coup-plotting trial, with the backing of the Trump administration.

“They were elected to serve the Brazilian people, but they defend only their personal interests. They are traitors to the homeland. History will not forgive them,” Lula said.

According to Brazilian police, Bolsonaro and Eduardo—who has been in the United States for the past six months—sought to “induce, instigate, and assist” the U.S. government in imposing sanctions against Brazil and its judiciary.

Their lobbying efforts bore fruit: Trump revoked visas for several Supreme Court justices and one of Lula’s ministers, while also imposing a 50 percent tariff on a significant share of Brazilian imports in an effort to pressure authorities to drop the case against Bolsonaro.