Brazil ’s president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has vetoed a controversial bill that would have dramatically shortened the 27-year prison sentence of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving time for his role in plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election. The bill, passed by Congress in December 2025, would have cut Bolsonaro’s sentence to just over two years and reduced penalties for others convicted over the January 8, 2023 attacks on government buildings in Brasília. Lula says the convictions were based on fair trials and substantial evidence. Congress could still override the veto. Bolsonaro began his sentence in November 2025 and remains barred from running for office until at least 2030.

Brazil pork exports hit a record and poised to overtake Canada

Brazil’s pork industry achieved a new milestone in 2025, exporting 1.51 million tonnes of pork, an 11.6% increase from the previous year, and is set to surpass Canada as one of the world’s top exporters. Export revenues climbed to US$3.62 billion, up nearly 20% year-on-year. The Philippines emerged as Brazil’s largest buyer, while China, Chile, Japan and Hong Kong also took significant volumes. The boom is credited to diversified international demand and strengthened market access.

Beekeepers warn lithium mining threatens bees in Brazil

Beekeepers in Brazil’s Jequitinhonha Valley are raising alarms that expanding lithium mining, driven by global demand for battery minerals, is disturbing traditional ecosystems where wild beehives once thrived. Local farmers and apiarists, including Aécio Luiz, report that bees are harder to find and honey production is declining as mining activities grow. This region hosts a large share of Brazil’s lithium deposits, which are critical for electric vehicle and renewable energy markets, but the environmental impacts are increasingly prompting community concern.

Neymar extends Santos deal to chase World Cup return

Brazil forward Neymar has extended his contract with Santos until the end of 2026 as he targets a return to the national team ahead of the World Cup. The 33-year-old, who rejoined Santos in January 2025, has not played for Brazil since 2023 due to injury setbacks. He helped the club avoid relegation last season, scoring five goals in their final five matches, before undergoing knee surgery to repair a damaged meniscus. Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, Neymar, is working to regain full fitness to meet coach Carlo Ancelotti’s recall criteria. Brazil will face Scotland, Morocco and Haiti in Group C when the World Cup begins on 11 June in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Roberto Carlos hospitalised, recovering

Brazil and Real Madrid great Roberto Carlos says he is recovering well after undergoing a planned preventative medical procedure. The 52-year-old shared an update on Instagram, posting a photo from his hospital bed and dismissing reports that he had suffered a heart attack. He said the procedure was successful and carried out in advance with his medical team. Carlos thanked supporters for their messages and said he expects to return to full fitness soon.

Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies is currently debating a controversial anti-gang bill that has ignited sharp political tensions across the country. The proposed legislation, which aims to strengthen criminal penalties and enhance the government’s ability to dismantle organised crime networks, has drawn criticism from the Federal Police and several government officials. Detractors argue that the bill could open the door to misuse of authority and may undermine civil rights protections. At the same time, supporters claim it is essential to address the growing threat of gang-related violence in major cities. The debate reflects the delicate balance between bolstering public safety and safeguarding democratic freedoms.

Brazil’s new crime commission: A fight for control and credibility

Brazil’s Senate has launched a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission to investigate organised crime. However, this move has not come without controversy. Political analysts and opposition figures have raised concerns about the inquiry's independence, suggesting that political manoeuvring could compromise its integrity. The commission, intended to expose corruption and strengthen national security , risks becoming another political battleground where competing factions vie for influence. Questions about transparency and impartiality are now shaping public opinion, with critics urging reforms to ensure that accountability, not politics, remains at the heart of the investigation.

Criminal crisis unites right, signalling ‘post-Bolsonaro’ era

A deadly police operation in Rio de Janeiro has thrust Brazil’s public security policies back into the national spotlight and stirred a major political realignment. The crisis has united opposition figures on the right, many of whom were previously divided under the influence of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Analysts say this moment may mark the beginning of a “post-Bolsonaro” era , as right-wing leaders increasingly seek to redefine their identity around law and order rather than personality-driven politics. The renewed focus on policing and crime control underscores how security has become one of the defining issues in Brazil’s shifting political landscape

Lula secures ally to lead Senate inquiry into organised crime

In a strategic political move, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government has successfully secured leadership of a Senate inquiry into organised crime. The decision has sparked debate over potential political interference in what is meant to be an impartial investigation. Supporters of the government argue that Lula’s allies can ensure more effective oversight and results-oriented action. However, opposition groups and civil society watchdogs warn that this concentration of control risks undermining the inquiry's credibility. The development reflects ongoing tensions between executive authority and institutional independence, as Brazil navigates complex challenges at the intersection of politics, crime, and governance .