International
Judge says Brazil was governed by groups with paramilitary ties
February 3rd |
Justice Gilmar Mendes, dean of Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court, denounced today that during the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2023) the South American country was “being governed by people in the shadows” with the support of paramilitary groups in Rio de Janeiro.
“What it shows is that we were being governed by people in the shadows. This is a fact of reality, people from the militia (paramilitary groups) of Rio de Janeiro with a leading role in national politics,” Mendes said today in declarations to journalists in Lisbon in the framework of the Portuguese-Brazilian business forum LIDE.
The magistrate was referring to statements made yesterday, Thursday, by Brazilian senator Marcos do Val, who accused Bolsonaro of trying to convince him to stage a coup d’état and not recognize the victory in the elections of leftist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who assumed the presidency of Brazil last January 1.
“We lowered the scale of political degradation,” the magistrate added.
He also advocated reforming the area of public security and the Armed Forces, since, during the attacks perpetrated in Brasília last January 8 on the headquarters of the three branches of government by radical Bolsonaristas, “there was a breakdown of the security system”.
The forum, which began today and concludes tomorrow, Saturday, in a Lisbon hotel, was attended by former Brazilian President Michel Temer, as well as members of Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court and the Superior Electoral Court, among others, who have defended that normality is being restored in the country.
Among the participants was the president of the Brazilian Court of Auditors, Bruno Dantas, who defended before journalists that those responsible for the attacks of January 8 have to answer to Justice.
“History teaches that leniency is not the best way to deal with criminals. The criminal needs to be punished with the rigor of the law,” he argued.
He clarified that the damages caused by these protests are still being analyzed and that, once quantified, those responsible for the vandalism will be identified through their tax records and fined.
“It is a job that is in charge of the police, the identification of people, but when we have the list of vandals, we will hold them responsible”, measures that may even include the blocking of patrimony, he asserted.
So far, they have more than 18 million reais (about 3.2 million euros) blocked from the assets of these people.
On the other hand, Temer acknowledged that he does not believe that protests like those that occurred last January 8 will be repeated, and predicted that “absolute tranquility” will return to the country in the next few days.
“I think there was a movement that was not useful for the country. It created an image that was even negative, but, in the face of the very fast action of the Brazilian justice system, I think it is also being overcome with extraordinary speed,” he said.
Temer told EFE that Brazil “has already gone through many political, economic and social crises and overcame them all (…). A few days from now, the country will be in absolute tranquility”.
International
Trump defends $400M jet gift from Qatar, compares it to Statue of Liberty
U.S. President Donald Trump has defended his acceptance of a Boeing 747 jet from Qatar, comparing the gesture to France’s historic gift of the Statue of Liberty.
In a post on the Truth Social platform, Trump shared an image of the Statue of Liberty edited to show a sign around its neck reading: “Gift from a foreign nation.” In the caption, he noted that the statue had also been a gift—from France to the United States.
The $400 million Boeing jet donation from Qatar to Trump has sparked legal and ethical scrutiny, drawing criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. Some argue that accepting such a lavish gift violates the U.S. Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause, while others see it as a troubling attempt by Qatar to buy influence.
Several of Trump’s own allies, including Senators Josh Hawley and Rand Paul, have publicly broken ranks with the former president over the issue. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced he would block all Department of Justice nominations on the Senate floor until further answers are provided regarding the aircraft donation.
International
Uruguayans mourn José Mujica as thousands gather at Legislative Palace
The public began entering Montevideo’s Legislative Palace on Wednesday afternoon to pay their final respects to former Uruguayan President José Mujica, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89.
After the arrival of Mujica’s coffin at the seat of the Legislative Branch around 1:15 p.m. local time (4:15 p.m. GMT), the wake was initially closed for a few hours to a select group of individuals.
Among those present were Mujica’s widow, Lucía Topolansky, as well as Uruguay’s President Yamandú Orsi and Vice President Carolina Cosse.
Around 3:00 p.m. local time (6:00 p.m. GMT), the general public—many of whom had formed a long line hours earlier—began entering through the Libertador Avenue entrance to say goodbye to the former leader. As they passed the coffin, many left offerings such as flowers and flags.
The wake will continue at the Legislative Palace until midnight on Thursday (3:00 a.m. GMT), when the building will temporarily close.
The doors will reopen at 8:00 a.m. local time (11:00 a.m. GMT), though the total duration of the wake has not yet been confirmed. It has been officially announced, however, that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Chilean President Gabriel Boric will arrive in Montevideo on Thursday to attend the ceremony.
Earlier in the day, at 10:00 a.m. local time (1:00 p.m. GMT), a funeral procession departed from the Executive Tower toward the Legislative Palace, accompanied by thousands. Along the route, it passed the headquarters of the Tupamaros National Liberation Movement, the Popular Participation Movement, and the Broad Front.
Pepe Mujica passed away on Tuesday in Montevideo, nearly one week before his 90th birthday, a year after being diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his esophagus.
“With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our compañero Pepe Mujica. President, activist, leader, and guide. We will miss you dearly, old friend. Thank you for everything you gave us and for your deep love for your people,” President Orsi wrote on X.
On April 29 of last year, Mujica publicly revealed he had a tumor in his esophagus. Shortly after, he confirmed it was malignant and underwent radiotherapy in Montevideo. Earlier this year, he told local weekly Búsqueda that the cancer had spread to his liver.
International
Ecuador pays tribute to José Mujica, hailing him as a symbol of social justice
The Ecuadorian government extended its condolences to Uruguay on Wednesday following the death, on Tuesday, of former President José Mujica (2010–2015), whom it described as one of the “most emblematic” figures in the region.
“The Government of Ecuador, upon the passing of former President José Mujica, expresses its condolences to the people of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, as well as to his family and loved ones,” the Foreign Ministry stated on social media.
The Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs added: “José ‘Pepe’ Mujica is one of the most emblematic figures in our region. His humility, wisdom, and deep commitment to social justice will remain an indelible legacy in the memory of our peoples.”
Mujica was known to have a close relationship with Rafael Correa, who governed Ecuador from 2007 to 2017 and now leads the opposition movement Revolución Ciudadana (RC).
Trump defends $400M jet gift from Qatar, compares it to Statue of Liberty
Uruguayans mourn José Mujica as thousands gather at Legislative Palace
Ecuador pays tribute to José Mujica, hailing him as a symbol of social justice
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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