Lula denounces new war against democracy and calls for popular resistance in Chile.

247 - In a speech given this Monday (21), during the event Democracy Always In Santiago, Chile, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva delivered a powerful speech in defense of democracy and social justice. The full text of the speech was published on the official website of the Planalto Palace, which broadcast the event held with Chilean organizations and social movements.

Lula began his speech by highlighting the symbolism of speaking about democracy in the Chilean capital, a country that, according to the president himself, was a "refuge from oppression" for thousands of Latin Americans persecuted by dictatorial regimes, including illustrious Brazilians such as Paulo Freire, Darcy Ribeiro, Marco Aurélio Garcia, and Emir Sader.

The ongoing struggle for democracy

The Brazilian president warned of new forms of attack against democratic regimes: “The enemies of democracy no longer resort to the diplomacy of tanks and gunboats. They control algorithms, sow hatred and spread fear. They promote a culture war. They use commerce as an instrument of coercion and blackmail.” He emphasized that, in addition to the use of fake news and virtual attacks, extremist forces also attack institutions, science, universities, and international solidarity ties.

Lula recalled the military coup against Chilean President Salvador Allende 52 years ago as a symbol of a past that must not be repeated. The president stated that current extremism seeks to corrode institutions from within, deepening polarization, promoting denialism, and creating an environment conducive to fascism.

The warning about the international far right.

The president highlighted the growing global dissatisfaction with democracy, citing alarming data: “In Europe, 48% of young people believe that democracy is at risk. Only 33% of Latin Americans are satisfied with the current model.” According to Lula, the recent attack on Brazilian institutions, shortly after the 2022 elections, proves that the fight against authoritarianism is permanent.

Lula denounced the international coordination of the far right: “The internationally organized far right offers a new Washington Consensus, or rather, a new Washington Dissent: anti-democratic, denialist, and interventionist.” The Brazilian head of state condemned what he called the “subservience” of the Latin American far right, which, according to him, “abdicates the self-determination of peoples” and attacks any effort at regional integration.

Democracy is about material equality, not just voting rights.

For Lula, defending democracy goes beyond the right to vote. He stated: “Democracy is not just about voting — it’s about having food on the table, having a home, seeing your children in university, enjoying leisure and culture.” And he reinforced his defense of building more just societies: “As Pope Francis said, there is no democracy with hunger, no development with poverty, and no justice with inequality.”

The president emphasized the need for a new social pact that puts the State back at the center of public policies, advocating for the recovery of historical banners of the left, such as social justice and the sovereignty of peoples.

Priority given to combating hunger and achieving tax justice.

Lula reiterated his commitment to the fight against hunger and inequality. Citing the Chilean "Estallido Social" as a symbol of popular indignation against the privileges of the elites, the president lamented the absurd concentration of wealth: "1% of the richest people on the planet control 45% of global wealth," he denounced.

He also pointed out the global paradox of hunger and poverty: “733 million people continue to go hungry and live without electricity and water. But there is no shortage of money or food. What is lacking is indignation and political will.” According to Lula, the Brazilian presidency of the G20 launched an International Alliance against Hunger, whose main mission is to put the fight against poverty back at the center of the global agenda.

The president also criticized the global tax system and advocated for taxing the super-rich: "Without tax justice, distortions will continue to widen in favor of big capital and billionaires."

Sustainable development and just transition

Lula also highlighted Brazil's environmental commitments. He cited the upcoming Climate Conference (COP-30), which will take place in Belém do Pará, and stated that the country wishes to lead the debate on a just ecological transition: "Without ambitious goals, we will not prevent global warming from exceeding one and a half degrees," he warned.

The president emphasized that the fossil fuel-based model is unsustainable and condemned the destructive legacy of extractivism: “For centuries, mineral exploitation has generated wealth for a few and left trails of destruction and misery for many.” Lula defended the protection of the Amazon, Atacama, and marine biomes as part of the fight against neocolonialist practices.

For world peace and regulation of digital platforms.

The Brazilian president also made an appeal for peace, condemning the ongoing conflicts, especially the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza and the war in Ukraine. "Nothing justifies the indiscriminate killing of thousands of women and children in Gaza," he declared. He criticized global military spending, which already exceeds $2,7 trillion annually.

Finally, Lula drew attention to the challenges brought about by new technologies and digital disinformation: “What is a crime in real life should be a crime in the digital environment. Freedom of expression is not the same as freedom to aggress,” he declared. He advocated for the regulation of digital platforms and the fight against hate speech.

Concluding his speech, Lula quoted the Chilean artist Violeta Parra to express his optimism about social struggles: “To be 17 years old again, every day, after living a century.” At 79 years old, the president stated: “I ask God to allow me to live to 120. Those who have a cause do not grow old. History teaches us that no setback can be sustained in the face of popular mobilization.”

The meeting in Chile reinforced the message of democratic resistance and reaffirmed the role of social mobilization as an essential pillar for building a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world. Watch: