Dilma on impeachment: 'They don't scare me'
President Dilma Rousseff states that she is calm regarding the movement led by the PSDB party that advocated for her impeachment; in an interview with the Mexican newspaper La Jornada, she said that "this discussion has the bias of a political weapon" and reaffirmed that she has no reason to fear; "I think it has much more of a political struggle character, you understand? That is, it is much more wielded as a political weapon. Now, this doesn't frighten me. I have no fear of this, I am responsible for my actions. And I am clear about my actions."
247 - Aware that there is no legal basis to threaten her, President Dilma Rousseff states that she is calm regarding the movement led by the PSDB party that advocated for her impeachment. In an interview with the Mexican newspaper La Jornada, she said that "this discussion has the bias of a political weapon" and reaffirmed that she has no reason to fear.
"I think it has much more of a political struggle character, you know? That is, it's wielded much more as a political weapon. Now, that doesn't frighten me. I'm not afraid of that, I'm responsible for my actions. And I'm clear about my actions."
Dilma commented on Brazilian political issues, such as the corruption scheme involving construction companies in contracts with Petrobras, and international affairs, such as the relationship between Brazil and Mexico, where she has a busy agenda this week.
In highlighting the importance of Petrobras, "as important to Brazil as the national team," the president spoke about Operation Lava Jato and acknowledged the involvement of company employees in the corruption scheme.
"Petrobras has 90 employees, and four employees have been and are being accused of corruption. No one can speak before being convicted, but all indications point to them being responsible for the corruption process."
The four defendants she refers to are former directors Paulo Roberto Costa, Nestor Cerveró, and Renato Duque, and former manager Pedro Barusco.
Internationally, Dilma defended BNDES's financing of the construction of the Port of Mariel in Cuba, and considered that there is "some exaggeration" in the analysis that there is a situation of instability in South American governments.
"I don't believe that democracy breeds situations of cemetery peace. Democracy breeds street demonstrations, demands, expressions of discontent. And we, in Latin America, have to be very careful, because the coup-mongering roots always permeate the political culture of the countries. Not predominantly anymore. No, I don't believe that."
Dilma was also questioned about politics in Latin America, the recent rapprochement between the United States and Cuba, and the allegations of espionage by the NSA (US National Security Agency) against the Brazilian government. According to the president, this topic "is closed."
"President Obama (...) opened a discussion process in which they came up with several resolutions. Among those resolutions, they came up with one stating that it's unacceptable to spy on friendly countries, isn't it? (...) Within the framework of what they did, they responded to us."