U.S. Officials Accused of Interfering in Brazil’s October Election

Brazil’s intelligence service has confirmed that both the United States and Russia are attempting to influence the country’s presidential election, whose first round is scheduled for October 4. U.S. officials cited include President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who have been reported to engage in actions aimed at shaping the outcome in favor of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Common Dreams

Last year, President Trump imposed a 40 % tariff on Brazilian imports, accusing Brazilian leaders of “persecuting” former President Jair Bolsonaro. Political scientist Octavio Amorim Neto noted that the tariff was embraced by Bolsonarist factions while traditional right-wing groups blamed President Lula. Over the summer, Brazil denied visas to two senior U.S. State Department officials slated to travel on a mission to question the election’s fairness.

Common Dreams

Brazilian officials have framed the alleged meddling as a breach of democratic norms. The senators also invoked the 1964 U.S.-backed coup as historical context for their concerns. President Trump has publicly defended Flávio Bolsonaro’s father, describing the prosecution as a “witch hunt” and denying any wrongdoing.

Common Dreams

Mark Weisbrot, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, argues that the U.S. Octavio Amorim Neto echoed this view, characterizing the tariff and diplomatic moves as part of a broader regime-change effort.

Common Dreams

• “It is even clearly illegal under the Charter of the Organization of American States, to which the United States is a signatory,” — Mark Weisbrot, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research “It is even clearly illegal under the Charter of the Organization of American States, to which the United States is a signatory,” — July. Mark Weisbrot, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research

Common Dreams