Lula 8.0, a gift for Brazil and for Humanity

Today, October 27th, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva turns 80 years old, in excellent physical and intellectual condition. In this turbulent world, where powers clash, wars intensify, and hate speech threatens civilized coexistence, Lula stands as one of the most mature, lucid, and experienced leaders of humanity. His trajectory is marked by consistency, resilience, and commitment to the Brazilian people and to the universal values ​​of justice, peace, and human dignity.

Upon reaching eight decades of life, Lula maintains a clear vision of Brazil's role as a force for balance and peace in the world. In his words and actions, the country is once again respected as a nation that seeks dialogue, multilateralism, and cooperation—principles that reclaim the best traditions of Brazilian diplomacy. Lula understands that Brazil must be a pole of stability on a planet plagued by conflict and reaffirms, in every trip and speech, that South America needs to be preserved as a zone of peace.

Another trait that consolidates his global leadership is his ability to engage in dialogue with all interlocutors, even those with whom dialogue seemed blocked. The recent meeting with US President Donald Trump is the most recent proof of this skill. With serenity and firmness, Lula was able to transform a relationship previously marked by friction into a high-level conversation, guided by diplomacy and mutual interest. This is the hallmark of great leaders: speaking to everyone without abandoning principles and national interests.

In economic terms, Lula has shown himself to be tireless in defending Brazil and its companies, as demonstrated in his recent trade marathon through Asia, with visits to Indonesia and Malaysia. In each meeting, he reaffirmed his commitment to opening new markets, attracting investment, and strengthening the country's presence in global value chains. His actions reaffirm his commitment to development and economic sovereignty – fundamental bases of any national project worthy of the name.

None of this, however, would have been possible without the experience and moral strength acquired throughout his life – especially during the 580 days of political imprisonment in Curitiba, an act of violence now internationally recognized as one of the greatest injustices in Brazil's recent history. The serenity with which he faced that period and the dignity with which he emerged from it give Lula a rare moral authority among world leaders. Few public figures have endured so much suffering with such tranquility and reinvented themselves with such hope.

I also speak in the first person, from the perspective of someone who followed every step of this story. As editor of Brasil 247 and TV 247, I am immensely proud to have lived through this journey firsthand – from media and judicial persecution to liberation, from the triumphant return to power to the maturity of the third term, and the preparation for a fourth, which already has our support.

I cherish the handwritten letters Lula wrote during his days in prison, when TV 247 was one of his main sources of information. While in prison, he received pen drives from Marco Aurélio Ribeiro, now his chief of staff, containing weekly programs and interviews, including analyses of current affairs by Celso Amorim and Aloizio Mercadante. These were delivered to his cell, serving as a bridge between prison and the real Brazil – the one that never gave up fighting for democracy.

Today, at 80 years old, Lula continues to inspire not only Brazil, but the world. He is a leader who opens markets and creates jobs, who fights local and international injustices, who speaks of peace in a time of war, who believes in dialogue in a time of hatred, and who governs with hope in a time of despair.

Long live President Lula!