Moro considers himself Lula's owner, a slave at his disposal.

There was another dispute beyond the epic legal-political battle that was fought in the country this Sunday (July 8) over Lula's freedom.

Much has already been written about this legal-political character, by jurists and analysts of enormous talent, sagacity, and commitment to democracy.

But yes, there was another dispute, of a cultural nature. It has to do with the shaping of the country as a nation. Its foundations, its psyche, its soul.

It goes far beyond the characters involved.

Lula is in prison because he was convicted in a trial. The whole trial is a farce, but there you go, he was convicted in a trial related to the so-called "Guarujá triplex".

Sérgio Moro was the judge in the case. He convicted Lula.

Following the conclusion of the proceedings under his jurisdiction, and after the series of decisions he made regarding the case, Moro ceased to have any connection with the process.

The case was elevated to a higher court, the now-famous Federal Regional Court of the 4th Region (TRF-4). The moment it "moved up" to another court, the case ceased to be under Moro's jurisdiction.

Because this is a basic characteristic of democracy: the judge "owns" the case while it is under their jurisdiction. After that, it's over.

And here's something about the deep Brazil of the most slave-owning elites on the planet. Moro doesn't behave like someone who was "in charge of the case" in which Lula was a defendant and for which he was convicted. No. He behaves as if he owns the defendant, the convicted man. Lula's owner. "Don't you dare mess with him, because he belongs to me."

For Moro, Lula is no longer someone who interacts with the Brazilian Judiciary and State as a person with rights. Lula has become an object. He belongs to Moro.

And let no one dare tamper with his property.

It may seem like inhumane logic (and it is), terrifying (and it is).

But this way of thinking was common and LEGAL in Brazil until 130 years ago, during the time of slavery.

And this spirit is what governs the relationship between Moro and Lula.

Even more serious: with the support of judges, ministers, and the entire conservative media of the country. Applauded by the entire national elite.

It is no mere coincidence that two of the figures involved in yesterday's crisis, judges Carlos Eduardo Thompson Flores and João Pedro Gebran Neto, come from families that owned slaves.

Thompson Flores' great-grandfather, João Pereira da Silva Borges Fortes, was a slave owner. The president of the TRF-4 (Regional Federal Court of the 4th Region) is a descendant of Raposo Tavares, the genocidal bandeirante (explorer/slave hunter) who killed thousands of indigenous people in the 17th century.

João Pedro Gebran's grandmother, Francisca Cunha, known as Chiquinha, belongs to a long line of landowners who owned slaves.

They all come from families that own cattle and people, as Geraldo Vandré sang in "Disparada" from 1966 (read more about the genealogy of the Lava Jato members). here).

This is the spirit that governs Moro's relationship with Lula.

For Moro, Lula is his. Just as for the elites, the country's poor are objects available to be appropriated. They are not people, human beings with rights, desires, dreams, smiles, and joys.

Lula is Moro's side. And this isn't just a private relationship. It's a bond that, this Sunday, was sanctioned by the Judiciary, Globo and its media affiliates, and the entire elite of the country.

We are a country where there are cattle owners and people. And the elites want the people to accept this fact passively—like cattle.