Lula: "Operation Lava Jato lied and needs to apologize for destroying the industry."
In an interview with a Belo Horizonte radio station this morning, shortly after announcing a new campaign tour in Minas Gerais, the former president said that for three years they have been trying to destroy him; "I have more than 60 magazine covers and more than 25 hours of Jornal Nacional (a major Brazilian news program) against me," he emphasized; "They shoot at me with cannons every day and I'm still alive. They shot Aécio with a pistol and he couldn't take it," he quipped; Lula said he wants to "take care of the country's sovereignty"; "This country cannot be sold," he defended, criticizing the privatizations of the Temer government; he also criticized Lava Jato; "The Federal Police and the Public Prosecutor's Office of Lava Jato lied. They are the ones who have to explain themselves and apologize for destroying the industry. I hope they are ashamed and apologize to Brazilian society for the damage."
Minas 247 - In an interview with Super Notícia FM radio in Belo Horizonte on the morning of Wednesday the 18th, former president Lula announced a new caravan, this time through the state of Minas Gerais, and criticized the privatizations of the Michel Temer government and Operation Lava Jato.
He also stated that "this country has a chance, it can grow again. And people need to regain their self-esteem."
Lula said that they have been trying to destroy him for three years. "I have more than 60 magazine covers and more than 25 hours of Jornal Nacional [a major Brazilian news program] against me," he emphasized. "They shoot at me with cannons every day and I'm still alive. They shot at Aécio with a pistol and he couldn't take it," he said ironically. "And the more they attack me, the more I rise in the polls. That's what makes them angry," he added.
The former president stated that he wanted to "protect the country's sovereignty." "This country cannot be sold. Those who don't know how to govern should resign and leave," he declared, criticizing the privatization package that includes Eletrobras, the Mint, and even Caixa Econômica Federal.
Regarding Lava Jato, he emphasized: "The Federal Police and the Public Prosecutor's Office of Lava Jato lied. They are the ones who have to explain themselves and apologize now for destroying the industry. I hope they feel ashamed and apologize to Brazilian society for the damage."
The former president is about to begin a caravan through Minas Gerais, similar to the one he did through the nine states of the Northeast. "The goal of the caravan is to see what has happened in Brazil in recent years. I am aware of the social progress and I want to see how things are now," Lula explained.
"After the Minas Gerais caravan, I want to do the South and North of the country," he announced. "I'll never forget that I promised the Itinga (MG) bridge during the caravan in '93. Because back then we could only cross by ferry," he recalled. "I want people to see the cultural richness of the Jequitinhonha Valley," he added.
The former president's trip through various regions of Minas Gerais, between October 23rd and 30th, is the second stage of a project that aims to reach all regions of the country. The route, which Lula will travel entirely by bus, involves seven regions of the state, totaling at least 14 cities.
Lula begins his caravan through Minas Gerais in the Vale do Aço region, one of the birthplaces of the Workers' Party, in Ipatinga at the event "In defense of national sovereignty," welcoming the caravan at Praça dos Três Poderes, at 18 pm.
After the opening ceremony, the caravan will travel to the Rio Doce Valley, Mucuri Valley, Jequitinhonha Valley, pass through Northern Minas Gerais, the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte, and end with a large event in the state capital on October 30th.
Recall the moment this week when Lula denounced the Lava Jato operation's persecution of his family: