Brazilian Right Pressures Lula Through Activity in the U.S., Government Sees Interference by the Trump Administration - Folha de S.Paulo

The Brazilian government is on alert over the activities of the sons of former president Jair Bolsonaro in the United States. Eduardo, a federal deputy, and Flávio, a senator, have been holding meetings with leaders from the radical wing of the White House since February, in what Brasília sees as an attempt by Donald Trump’s administration to influence this year’s presidential elections.

The Planalto Palace has been pressured on two fronts: the possible classification of the Brazilian criminal factions PCC and Comando Vermelho as terrorist organizations and the visit of Darren Beattie, an adviser at the U.S. State Department, to Brazil for meetings with Flávio and Jair Bolsonaro about Brazil’s electoral system.

Government allies fear the ultimate goal is to influence the elections, with possible support from Trump for Flávio Bolsonaro, a presidential hopeful who has been rising in the polls. The Workers’ Party (PT) and the government are preparing responses, with Edinho Silva warning about risks of economic sanctions and even possible control of Pix, the instant financial transfer system, if the criminal groups are classified as terrorist organizations.