Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Luiz Inácio da Silva was born on 27 October 1945 (registered with a date of birth of 6 October 1945) in Caetés (then a district of Garanhuns), {{cvt|250|km}} from Recife, capital of Pernambuco, a state in the Northeast of Brazil. He was the seventh of eight children of Aristides Inácio da Silva and Eurídice Ferreira de Melo, farmers who had experienced famine in one of the poorest parts of the agreste.{{Cite news |last1=Magalhaes |first1=Luciana |last2=Pearson |first2=Samantha |date=30 October 2022 |title=Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Wins Presidential Election, Beating Jair Bolsonaro |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/brazils-jair-bolsonaro-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-face-off-in-tense-presidential-runoff-11667065780 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102181445/https://www.wsj.com/articles/brazils-jair-bolsonaro-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-face-off-in-tense-presidential-runoff-11667065780 |archive-date=2 November 2022 |access-date=1 November 2022 |work=The Wall Street Journal |location=São Paulo |language=en-US}} He was raised Catholic.{{Cite news |last=Feltrin |first=Ricardo |date=6 April 2005 |title="Lula é um católico a seu modo", diz d. Cláudio Hummes |trans-title="Lula is a Catholic in his own way," says d. Claudio Hummes |url=http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/mundo/ult94u82505.shtml |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002141634/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/mundo/ult94u82505.shtml |archive-date=2 October 2018 |access-date=3 October 2010 |work=Folha de S.Paulo |language=pt-BR}} Lula's mother was of Portuguese and partial Italian descent.{{Cite book |last=Paraná |first=Denise |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WsROAQAAIAAJ |title=Lula, o filho do Brasil |publisher=Objetiva |year=2009 |isbn=9788539000371 |access-date=25 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114140153/https://books.google.com/books?id=WsROAQAAIAAJ |archive-date=14 January 2023 |url-status=live}} Two weeks after Lula's birth, his father moved to Santos, São Paulo, with – though Eurídice was not aware of it – her younger cousin Valdomira Ferreira de Góis.{{Cite news |last=Bearak |first=Barry |date=27 June 2004 |title=Poor Man's Burden |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/27/magazine/poor-man-s-burden.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830021652/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/27/magazine/poor-man-s-burden.html |archive-date=30 August 2009 |work=The New York Times Magazine}}

In December 1952, when Lula was seven years old, his mother moved the family to São Paulo to rejoin her husband. After a journey of 13 days in a {{lang|pt-BR|pau-de-arara}} (open truck bed), they arrived in Guarujá and discovered that Aristides had formed a second family with Valdomira, with whom he had 10 more children.{{Cite web |last=Farah |first=Fábio |date=4 November 2002 |title=Todos os irmãos do presidente |trans-title=All the president's brothers |url=https://www.terra.com.br/istoegente/171/reportagens/irmaos_lula_abre.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021223194043/https://www.terra.com.br/istoegente/171/reportagens/irmaos_lula_abre.htm |archive-date=23 December 2002 |website=terra.com.br |language=pt-BR}} Aristides's two families lived in the same house for some time, but they did not get along very well, and four years later, his mother moved with him and his siblings to a small room behind a bar in São Paulo. After that, Lula rarely saw his father, who died illiterate and an alcoholic in 1978.{{Cite news |last=Habib |first=Yamily |date=13 July 2017 |title=Lula: the sad end of a dream |url=https://aldianews.com/en/politics/policy/fall-giant |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224062729/https://aldianews.com/en/politics/policy/fall-giant |archive-date=24 February 2024 |work=Al Día News}}{{Cite book |last=Bourne |first=Richard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7TlK53NMGawC&pg=PT50 |title=Lula of Brazil: The Story So Far |date=2008-04-22 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-93252-4 |language=en |access-date=4 September 2017 |archive-date=14 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114140153/https://books.google.com/books?id=7TlK53NMGawC&pg=PT50 |url-status=live }} In 1982, he added the nickname Lula to his legal name.{{Cite news |last=Barrionuevo |first=Alexei |date=26 August 2012 |title=Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva |url=http://topics.nytimes.com/TOP/reference/timestopics/people/d/luiz_inacio_lula_da_silva/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421054026/http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/d/luiz_inacio_lula_da_silva/ |archive-date=21 April 2014 |access-date=27 January 2018 |work=The New York Times}}

Twice a widower, Lula has been married three times, and has a daughter from a fourth relationship. In 1969, he married Maria de Lourdes Ribeiro. She died of hepatitis in 1971 while pregnant with a child, who also died.{{cite news |author=Narciso |first=Paulo |date= |title=Da distante Paulicéia, Lula vinha namorar todas as noites |trans-title=From the distant Paulicéia, Lula came to date every night |url=http://www.hojeemdia.com.br/cmlink/hoje-em-dia/noticias/politica/da-distante-pauliceia-lula-vinha-namorar-todas-as-noites-1.38045 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021142022/http://www.hojeemdia.com.br/cmlink/hoje-em-dia/noticias/politica/da-distante-pauliceia-lula-vinha-namorar-todas-as-noites-1.38045 |archive-date=21 October 2011 |access-date=14 December 2009 |work=Hoje em Dia |language=pt-BR}}

In March 1974, Lula had an illegitimate daughter, Lurian, with his then-girlfriend, Miriam Cordeiro.{{Cite book |last=Bourne |first=Richard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yfdiDgAAQBAJ&dq=%22lula%22+%22Lurian+%22&pg=PA73 |title=Lula of Brazil: The Story So Far |date=2008-11-21 |publisher=Zed Books Ltd. |isbn=978-1-84813-355-6 |language=en}} The two never married. Lula only began participating in his daughter's life when she was already a young adult.{{cite news |author=Fordeleone |first=Yolanda |date=2008-07-05 |title=Lurian, filha de Lula, foi atendida no hospital Sírio-Libanês |trans-title=Lurian, Lula's daughter, was treated at the Sírio-Libanês Hospital |url=http://www.estadao.com.br/noticias/nacional,lurian-filha-de-lula-foi-atendida-no-hospital-sirio-libanes,201085,0.htm |url-access=limited |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603002144/http://www.estadao.com.br/noticias/nacional,lurian-filha-de-lula-foi-atendida-no-hospital-sirio-libanes,201085,0.htm |archive-date=3 June 2013 |access-date=3 October 2010 |work=Estadão |publisher=Agência Estado |language=pt-BR}}

Two months later, in May 1974, Lula married Marisa Letícia Rocco Casa, a 24-year-old widow whom he had met the prior year. He had three sons with her, and adopted her son from her first marriage. The two remained married for 43 years, until her death on 2 February 2017, after a stroke.{{cite web |last1=Cruz |first1=Bruna Souza |last2=Bianchi |first2=Paula |date=2 February 2017 |title=Marisa Letícia tem morte cerebral, e família autoriza doação de órgãos |trans-title=Marisa Letícia has brain death, and family authorizes organ donation |url=https://noticias.uol.com.br/politica/ultimas-noticias/2017/02/02/ex-primeira-dama-marisa-leticia-tem-morte-cerebral-em-sp-apos-avc.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202235508/https://noticias.uol.com.br/politica/ultimas-noticias/2017/02/02/ex-primeira-dama-marisa-leticia-tem-morte-cerebral-em-sp-apos-avc.htm |archive-date=2 February 2017 |access-date=2 July 2017 |work=UOL Notícias |publisher=UOL |place=São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro |language=pt-BR}}

Later that same year, he met and started a relationship with Rosângela da Silva, known as Janja. The relationship only became public in 2019 while he was serving time in jail in Curitiba, Paraná, on corruption charges.{{Cite news |date=2022-05-18 |title=Casamento de Lula: conheça Janja, socióloga e noiva do ex-presidente |trans-title=Lula's wedding: meet Janja, sociologist and fiancée of the former president |url=https://exame.com/brasil/casamento-de-lula-conheca-janja-sociologa-e-noiva-do-ex-presidente/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519230103/https://exame.com/brasil/casamento-de-lula-conheca-janja-sociologa-e-noiva-do-ex-presidente/ |archive-date=2022-05-19 |access-date=2022-05-19 |work=Exame |publisher=AFP |language=pt-BR}} Lula and Janja married on 18 May 2022.{{Cite web |last1=Phillips |first1=Tom |last2=Malleret |first2=Constance |date=30 October 2022|title=Lula stages astonishing comeback to beat far-right Bolsonaro in Brazil election |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/30/lula-stages-astonishing-comeback-to-beat-bolsonaro-in-brazil-election |access-date=1 November 2022|website=The Guardian|language=en |archive-date=2 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102174006/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/30/lula-stages-astonishing-comeback-to-beat-bolsonaro-in-brazil-election |url-status=live}}

Lula is Catholic.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-19 |title=Brazil's Lula issues letter to evangelicals to allay concern |url=https://apnews.com/article/jair-bolsonaro-caribbean-brazil-sao-paulo-religion-2f7e50938fffc644de9e108061bed535 |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=16 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416194432/https://apnews.com/article/jair-bolsonaro-caribbean-brazil-sao-paulo-religion-2f7e50938fffc644de9e108061bed535 |url-status=live }}

File:Hands of Lula da Silva, January 2023.jpg amputated after a work-related accident when he was a metalworker in 1974.]]

Lula had little formal education. He did not learn to read until he was ten years old.{{cite news |date=28 October 2002 |title=Lula: Fourth time lucky? |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2367851.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819105549/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2367851.stm |archive-date=19 August 2018 |access-date=27 April 2007 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC}} He quit school after the second grade to work. His first job at age eight was as a street vendor.{{cite news |last1=Jeantet |first1=Diane |last2=Saverese |first2=Mauricio |date=30 October 2022 |title=Lula defeats Bolsonaro to again become Brazil's president |url=https://apnews.com/article/jair-bolsonaro-religion-caribbean-voting-ed2130a095ca42ff1be324a3dea9f355 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030235051/https://apnews.com/article/jair-bolsonaro-religion-caribbean-voting-ed2130a095ca42ff1be324a3dea9f355 |archive-date=30 October 2022 |access-date=31 October 2022 |work=Associated Press |publication-place=São Paulo}} When he was 12, he also worked as a shoeshiner. In 1960, when he was 14, he got his first formal job, in a warehouse.{{cite web |year=2005 |title=Biography |url=http://www.presidencia.gov.br/ingles/president |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213061056/http://www.presidencia.gov.br/ingles/president/ |archive-date=13 December 2007 |access-date=2 September 2007 |website=presidencia.gov.br |publisher=Brazilian Government}}

In 1961, he started working as an apprentice of a press operator in a metallurgical company that produced screws, while studying in a vocational course. There, Lula had his first contact with strike movements.{{Cite book|last=French|first=John D. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1197700354 |title=Lula and his politics of cunning: from metalworker to president of Brazil |date=2020 |others=Project Muse |isbn=978-1-4696-5578-9|location=Chapel Hill|publisher=University of North Carolina Press|oclc=1197700354 |access-date=2 January 2023 |archive-date=14 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114140217/https://www.worldcat.org/title/1197700354 |url-status=live}} After the movement failed in its negotiations, Lula left the company for another metallurgical company. From 1966 to 1980, he worked at {{ill|Villares Metals S.A|pt}}, a new metalworking firm.

There, in 1974, he lost his left pinky finger in a machinery accident, while working as a press operator in the factory. After the accident, he had to run to several hospitals before he received medical attention. This experience increased his interest in participating in the Workers' Union. Around that time, he became involved in union activities and held several union posts.{{Cite web |last=Wallenfeldt |first=Jeff |title=Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva: Biography, Facts, & Involvement with Petrobras Scandal |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Luiz-Inacio-Lula-da-Silva |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702115233/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Luiz-Inacio-Lula-da-Silva |archive-date=2019-07-02 |access-date=2019-10-27 |website=Encyclopædia Britannica |language=en}}

Inspired by his brother Frei Chico, a member of the Brazilian Communist Party, Lula joined the labour movement when he worked at Villares Metals, rising through the ranks.{{Cite book |url=https://oxfordre.com/latinamericanhistory/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780199366439.001.0001/acrefore-9780199366439-e-463 |title=Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Latin American History|first=Ted|last=Goertzel|chapter=Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the Brazilian Workers' Party (PT) |date=2018|doi=10.1093/acrefore/9780199366439.013.463|isbn=978-0-19-936643-9 }} He was elected in 1975, and re-elected in 1978, as president of the Steel Workers' Union of São Bernardo do Campo and Diadema. Both cities are located in the ABCD Region, home to most of Brazil's automobile manufacturing facilities, including Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota, and Mercedes-Benz.

In the late 1970s, when Brazil was under military rule, Lula helped organize union activities, including major strikes. Labour courts found the strikes illegal, and in 1980, Lula was jailed for a month. Due to this, and like other people imprisoned for political activities under the military government, Lula was awarded a lifetime pension after the fall of the military regime.

File:Dep. lula.jpg, 1989]]

On 10 February 1980, a group of academics and union leaders, including Lula, founded the Partido dos Trabalhadores (PT) or Workers' Party, a left-wing party with progressive ideas.{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=2022-01-03 |title=Rebuilding bridges: Former president's mission to defeat Bolsonaro in Brazil |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/03/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-brazilian-former-president-mission-to-defeat-bolsonaro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103051330/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/03/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-brazilian-former-president-mission-to-defeat-bolsonaro |archive-date=2022-01-03 |work=The Guardian}}{{Cite web |title=Brazilian Profiles and Personalities: Modern Latin America |url=https://library.brown.edu/create/modernlatinamerica/chapters/chapter-11-brazil/figures-in-brazilian-history/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303032908/https://library.brown.edu/create/modernlatinamerica/chapters/chapter-11-brazil/figures-in-brazilian-history/ |archive-date=2024-03-03 |website=library.brown.edu |publisher=Brown University}}{{Cite web |title=Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva |url=https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=090000168008da08 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303032908/https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=090000168008da08 |archive-date=2024-03-03 |archive-format=PDF |website=coe.int |publisher=Council of Europe |format=PDF}}{{Cite magazine |last=Anderson |first=Jon Lee |date=2023-01-23 |title=After Bolsonaro, Can Lula Remake Brazil? |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/01/30/after-bolsonaro-can-lula-remake-brazil |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123111823/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/01/30/after-bolsonaro-can-lula-remake-brazil |archive-date=2023-01-23 |magazine=The New Yorker}} In 1983, he helped found the Central Única dos Trabalhadores (CUT) trade union association.{{Cite news |date=2021-04-15 |title=Brazil's Ex-president Lula In Dates |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/brazil-s-ex-president-lula-in-dates-01618527013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516180955/https://www.barrons.com/news/brazil-s-ex-president-lula-in-dates-01618527013 |archive-date=2021-05-16 |work=Barron's |publisher=Agence France-Presse}}

File:Lula's presidential inauguration, 2007.jpg with Vice President José Alencar for the official ceremony marking the beginning of their second term, 2007]]

Lula first ran for office in 1982 for the state government of São Paulo, but lost with 11% of the vote. Cuban president Fidel Castro urged him to continue on as a politician, during a trip by Lula to Cuba.{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=2022-10-31 |title=Lula: the rise and fall and rise again of Brazil's president-elect |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/31/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-brazil-presidency-election-profile |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031104547/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/31/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-brazil-presidency-election-profile |archive-date=2022-10-31 |work=The Guardian}}{{Cite book|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/the-story-of-lula-how-a-shoe-shiner-became-brazils-beloved-president-8357206/|title=The story of Lula: how a shoe-shiner became Brazil's beloved president|isbn=978-0520261556|date=January 3, 2023|author=Arjun Sengupta|work=Indian Express|publisher=University of California Press|access-date=25 February 2024|archive-date=25 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225000607/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/the-story-of-lula-how-a-shoe-shiner-became-brazils-beloved-president-8357206/|url-status=live}} In the 1986 election, Lula won a seat in the National Congress with the most votes nationwide.{{Cite news |date=2006-10-30 |title=Com votação recorde, Lula chega ao segundo mandato |url=https://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Eleicoes/0,,AA1330800-6282,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002559/http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Eleicoes/0,,AA1330800-6282,00.html |archive-date=2016-03-04 |access-date=2010-10-03 |work=G1 |publisher=Grupo Globo |location=São Paulo}}

In 1989, Lula ran for president as the PT candidate. Lula advocated immediate land reform and that Brazil default on its external debt. A minor candidate, Fernando Collor de Mello, quickly amassed support with a more business-friendly agenda and by taking emphatic anti-corruption positions. He beat Lula in the second round of the 1989 elections. Lula decided not to run for re-election as a Congressman in 1990.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r-dMAgAAQBAJ&dq=%22lula%22+%221990%22+election&pg=RA1-PA49 | title=The Oxford Companion to Comparative Politics | isbn=978-0-19-973859-5 | last1=Krieger | first1=Joel | date=28 February 2024 | publisher=Oup USA }}

Lula ran again for president, and lost again, in the next two Brazilian elections. Former PSDB Minister of Finance Fernando Henrique Cardoso defeated Lula who received only 27% of the vote in the presidential elections in 1994, and again, by a somewhat smaller margin, as Lula garnered only 32% of the vote in 1998.

An article in The Washington Post said that before 2002, Lula had been a "strident union organizer known for his bushy beard and Che Guevara T-shirts".{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/03/AR2010100304612_pf.html|title=Brazilian president's handpicked successor leads, faces runoff|first=Juan|last=Forero|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=4 October 2010|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-date=1 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101223415/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/03/AR2010100304612_pf.html|url-status=live}} In the 2002 campaign, Lula abandoned both his informal clothing style and his platform plank that Brazil should not pay its foreign debt unless it links the payment to a prior thorough audit. This last point had worried economists, businessmen, and banks, who feared that even a partial Brazilian default would have a massive ripple effect through the world economy. Lula in the 2002 election, defeated PSDB candidate José Serra in a runoff, to become the country's first leftist president following the fall of the military dictatorship in Brazil.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}} In the 2006 election, Lula won a run-off over the PSDB's Geraldo Alckmin.{{cite news |date=30 October 2006 |title=Brazil re-elects President Lula |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6095820.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112054214/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6095820.stm |archive-date=12 January 2009 |access-date=27 April 2007 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}

In September 2018, Brazil's top electoral court banned Lula from running for president in 2018 due to his corruption conviction, in accordance with Brazil's Lei da Ficha Limpa law.{{cite news |last=Lopes |first=Marina |date=31 August 2018 |title=Brazil's jailed former president Lula barred from running again by electoral court |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/brazils-jailed-former-president-lula-barred-from-running-again-by-electoral-court/2018/08/31/88cfcb7c-ac9b-11e8-9a7d-cd30504ff902_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901082125/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/brazils-jailed-former-president-lula-barred-from-running-again-by-electoral-court/2018/08/31/88cfcb7c-ac9b-11e8-9a7d-cd30504ff902_story.html |archive-date=1 September 2018 |access-date=1 September 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |location=São Paulo}} Instead, Fernando Haddad ran for president on the Workers Party ticket, and was defeated by Jair Bolsonaro.{{cite news |last1=Paraguassu |first1=Lisandra |date=11 September 2018 |title=Brazil's jailed former leader Lula ends presidential bid |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-election-idUSKCN1LR08N |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124508/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-election-idUSKCN1LR08N |archive-date=9 February 2019 |access-date=9 February 2019 |newspaper=Reuters |location=Curitiba}}

{{main article|First presidency of Lula da Silva}}

{{multiple image|align=right|direction=horizontal|caption_align=center|image1=Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2003.jpeg|width1=133|footer=Lula at the beginning of his first (left) and second (right) terms|image2=Lula - foto oficial - 05 jan 2007 (cropped2).jpg|width2=120}}

Lula, described as left-wing, served two terms as president from 2003 through 2010.{{Cite news |last1=Pearson |first1=Samantha |last2=Magalhaes |first2=Luciana |date=2022-10-30 |title=Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Wins Presidential Election, Beating Jair Bolsonaro |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/brazils-jair-bolsonaro-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-face-off-in-tense-presidential-runoff-11667065780 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102181445/https://www.wsj.com/articles/brazils-jair-bolsonaro-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-face-off-in-tense-presidential-runoff-11667065780 |archive-date=2022-11-02 |access-date=2022-11-01 |work=The Wall Street Journal |location=São Paulo}}{{Cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Tom |last2=Malleret |first2=Constance |date=2022-10-30 |title=Lula stages astonishing comeback to beat far-right Bolsonaro in Brazil election |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/30/lula-stages-astonishing-comeback-to-beat-bolsonaro-in-brazil-election |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102174006/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/30/lula-stages-astonishing-comeback-to-beat-bolsonaro-in-brazil-election |archive-date=2022-11-02 |access-date=2022-11-01 |work=The Guardian |location=São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro}} During his farewell speech, he said he felt a burden to prove that he could handle the presidency despite his humble beginnings. "If I failed, it would be the workers' class which would be failing; it would be this country's poor who would be proving they did not have what it takes to rule".{{Cite news |date=2010-12-30 |title=Lula bids a tearful goodbye |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/12/30/lula-bids-a-tearful-goodbye/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014113928/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2010/12/2010123054815679161.html |archive-date=2012-10-14 |access-date=2012-03-29 |work=Al Jazeera English}}{{cite web |title=Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva |url=http://www.biblioteca.presidencia.gov.br/presidencia/presidencia/ex-presidentes/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322001015/http://www.biblioteca.presidencia.gov.br/presidencia/presidencia/ex-presidentes/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva |archive-date=22 March 2017 |access-date=30 June 2017 |website=bibliotecapresidencia.gov.br |publisher=Biblioteca da Presidência da República |language=pt-BR}}

Very few of the reforms that Lula proposed were actually implemented during Lula's terms of office. Some wings of the Worker's Party disagreed with the increasing moderation in focus since the late eighties, and left the party to form other parties, such as during Lula's presidency, the Socialism and Liberty Party. Alliances with old, traditional oligarch politicians, like former presidents José Sarney and Fernando Collor, have been a cause of disappointment for some.{{cite news |date=5 February 2009 |title=Where dinosaurs still roam |url=http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13062220 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404205924/http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13062220 |archive-date=4 April 2009 |access-date=12 May 2009 |newspaper=The Economist}}

A number of educational initiatives were launched during Lula's first presidency. A free school meals programme was extended to 37 million pupils while a programme was launched which aimed to provide "whole or partial remission of student fees for low-income students". In 2006, primary education was extended from 8 to 9 years. A Fund for the Maintenance and Development of Basic Education was set up to improve the quality of education. The PED (an education development plan) conditioned the disbursement of public funds to state schools on the schools' performance.{{Cite web |url=https://bti-project.org/fileadmin/api/content/en/downloads/reports/country_report_2010_BRA.pdf |title=BTI 2010: Brazil Country Report |access-date=7 May 2023 |archive-date=27 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127193203/https://bti-project.org/fileadmin/api/content/en/downloads/reports/country_report_2010_BRA.pdf |url-status=live }}

Still in 2006, many Brazilians and commentators felt that Lula had not done enough to improve the quality of public education.{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Luiz-Inacio-Lula-da-Silva|title=Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva: Biography, Facts, & Involvement with Petrobras Scandal|date=27 February 2024|website=Britannica|access-date=27 January 2018|archive-date=2 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702115233/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Luiz-Inacio-Lula-da-Silva|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Schwarcz |first=Lilia M. |date=2010-11-19 |title=Brazil in the Shadow of Lula |url=https://www.nybooks.com/online/2010/11/19/brazil-shadow-lula/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002165532/https://www.nybooks.com/online/2010/11/19/brazil-shadow-lula/ |archive-date=2022-10-02 |work=The New York Review}}{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5346744.stm|title=Profile: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva|date=28 January 2010|work=BBC|access-date=11 June 2011|archive-date=24 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224084817/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5346744.stm|url-status=live}} And in 2010, while education was compulsory for all children in Brazil aged 7 to 14, in practice that requirement was only loosely enforced; 90% of children in rural areas attended school for less than four years, and only 25% of children living in favelas attended school.{{Cite web|url=https://stopchildlabor.org/child-labor-in-brazil-an-overview-article/|title=Child Labor in Brazil, an Overview Article|publisher=The Child Labor Coalition|date=17 November 2010|author=Sonja Salzburger|access-date=3 March 2024|archive-date=3 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303071111/https://stopchildlabor.org/child-labor-in-brazil-an-overview-article/|url-status=live}}

Lula's top social programme sought to eradicate hunger. It was financed by an increase in tax revenues, coupled with a decrease in government expenditures on both wages and on benefits paid to public employees, as well as a decrease in government expenditures on infrastructure.{{Cite journal|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/40206141|title=An Unusual Economic Arrangement: The Brazilian Economy during the First Lula Administration, 2003-2006|author=Barbosa-Filho, Nelson H.|year=2008|journal=International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society|volume=19|issue=3/4|pages=193–215|doi=10.1007/s10767-008-9026-8|jstor=40206141|s2cid=153921012|access-date=3 March 2024|archive-date=2 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302203057/https://www.jstor.org/stable/40206141|url-status=live}} The programme followed the lead of a project that had already been put into practice in 1995 by the Fernando Henrique Cardoso administration, which was named Bolsa Escola (School Stipend).{{Cite web|url=https://library.brown.edu/create/fivecenturiesofchange/chapters/chapter-8/luiz-ignacio-lula-da-silva/|title=Luiz Ignácio Lula da Silva | Brazil: Five Centuries of Change|website=library.brown.edu|access-date=2 March 2024|archive-date=2 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302041519/https://library.brown.edu/create/fivecenturiesofchange/chapters/chapter-8/luiz-ignacio-lula-da-silva/|url-status=live}} It expanded that initiative with the new Fome Zero ("Zero Hunger") programme, which was part of the Bolsa Família (Family Allowance) plan.{{Cite web|url=https://londonpolitica.com/latin-america-watch-blog-list/nc6b59t3gs8n9mxmm393s3z429hepn|title=The rebirth of Bolsa Família|website=London Politica}}{{cite web|url=http://www.coha.org/2006/06/21/lula-brazils-lost-leader/|title=Lula – Brazil's Lost Leader |access-date=5 April 2008|last=Kirksey|first=Emily|date=21 June 2006|work=Council on Hemispheric Affairs |archive-date=22 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522111913/http://www.coha.org/2006/06/21/lula-brazils-lost-leader/ |url-status=dead}}

Five months after Lula took office, however, the budget for Fome Zero was cut down a third from its original amount, and one year later, about $800 million was budgeted toward the programme, but only $130 million of that was actually disbursed.{{Cite web|url=https://coha.org/the-fome-zero-program-%e2%80%93-brazil%e2%80%99s-losing-struggle-to-help-the-hungry-lula%e2%80%99s-leadership-fading/|title=The Fome Zero Program – Brazil's Losing Struggle to Help the Hungry: Lula's Leadership Fading|work=COHA |date=26 July 2005|access-date=2 March 2024|archive-date=2 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302041519/https://coha.org/the-fome-zero-program-%E2%80%93-brazil%E2%80%99s-losing-struggle-to-help-the-hungry-lula%E2%80%99s-leadership-fading/|url-status=live}} Lula's programme was accused of having become more bark than bite, inasmuch as of May 2005, two years after the effort began, the programme had fallen far short of expectations.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/29/world/americas/effort-to-reduce-poverty-and-hunger-in-brazil-falls-short-of.html|title=Effort to Reduce Poverty and Hunger in Brazil Falls Short of Its Goals|first=Larry|last=Rohter|work=The New York Times|date=29 May 2005|access-date=1 March 2024|archive-date=1 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301060010/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/29/world/americas/effort-to-reduce-poverty-and-hunger-in-brazil-falls-short-of.html|url-status=live}}

File:Lulaspeech.jpg launching subsidized housing and Bolsa Família credits, 2005]]

During Lula's first term, child malnutrition decreased by 46%. In May 2010, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) awarded Lula the title of "World Champion in the Fight against Hunger".[https://mondiplo.com/cual-es-el-balance-social-de-lula ¿Cuál es el balance social de Lula?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304023440/https://mondiplo.com/cual-es-el-balance-social-de-lula |date=4 March 2022 }}, Geisa Maria Rocha, septiembre de 2010 A number of other social projects were introduced during Lula's first presidency.{{Cite web |url=https://www.eco.unicamp.br/images/arquivos/artigos/3105/TD192.pdf |title=A política social do Governo Lula (2003-2010): perspectiva histórica by Eduardo Fagnani |access-date=4 June 2023 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205025014/https://www.eco.unicamp.br/images/arquivos/artigos/3105/TD192.pdf |url-status=live }}

Lula launched a housing aid programme that was larger in scope to the policies developed until then. More than 15 billion euros were invested in water purification and the urbanization of favelas, and more than 40 billion in housing. The government proposed to relocate the poor populations that occupied the "risk zones", prone to floods or landslides; at the end of the day, however, at least 212 people died and at least 15,000 people were made homeless by the April 2010 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslides alone. It proposed to then extend the electricity network, to relocate the streets and to improve the precarious housing. The government undertook to democratize access to real estate credit.[https://www.liberation.fr/futurs/2007/08/11/et-lula-apporta-l-eau-et-la-lumiere-aux-favelas_99729/ Et Lula apporta l'eau et la lumière aux favelas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304023438/https://www.liberation.fr/futurs/2007/08/11/et-lula-apporta-l-eau-et-la-lumiere-aux-favelas_99729/ |date=4 March 2022 }}, Chantal Rayes, 11 août 2007

Lula's first two terms coincided with a strong boom in commodities prices.{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/e35232c6a8434d5bbaf23de030877a00|title=A look at the life of convicted ex-Brazilian president Silva|date=13 July 2017|website=AP News|access-date=4 March 2024|archive-date=4 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304051731/https://apnews.com/article/e35232c6a8434d5bbaf23de030877a00|url-status=live}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PqyfEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22lula%22+%22commodities%22+prices&pg=PT142|title=Populista: The Rise of Latin America's 21st Century Strongman|first=Will|last=Grant|date=7 January 2021|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1-78954-398-8 |via=Google Books}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0CclEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22lula%22+%22commodities%22+prices&pg=PT28|title=The Passenger: Brazil|date=13 October 2020|publisher=Europa Editions|isbn=978-1-60945-655-9 |via=Google Books}} This fueled an economic boom in Brazil, which in turn allowed Lula to spend heavily on social programmes and pay off a $15 billion IMF loan a year early.

In the run-up to the 2002 elections, the fear of Lula taking drastic measures, and comparisons of him with Hugo Chávez of Venezuela, increased internal market speculation. This led to a drop in the value of the Brazilian real, and a downgrade of Brazil's credit rating.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2057137.stm|title=Brazil hit by debt downgrade|work=BBC News|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=21 June 2002 |access-date=9 August 2007 |archive-date=16 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116060920/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2057137.stm |url-status=live}} Lula chose Henrique Meirelles of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), a market-oriented economist, as head of the Brazilian Central Bank. As a former CEO of BankBoston he was well known to the market.{{cite web|url=http://www.bcb.gov.br/pre/quemequem/ingl/presidentes/henriqueMeirelles.asp|title=Henrique de Campos Meirelles|publisher=Banco Central do Brazil |access-date=9 August 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927074612/http://www.bcb.gov.br/pre/quemequem/ingl/presidentes/henriqueMeirelles.asp |archive-date = 27 September 2007}}

Lula and his cabinet followed, to an extent, the lead of the previous government in economics.{{cite news|first=Sandra|last=Balbi|title=Economistas Alertam para Desindustrialização|url=http://www.iedi.org.br/cgi/cgilua.exe/sys/start.htm?2=217&sid=77&1=43&infoid=1749|work=Folha de S.Paulo|date=18 December 2005 |access-date=5 April 2008|language=pt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222235128/http://www.iedi.org.br/cgi/cgilua.exe/sys/start.htm?2=217&sid=77&1=43&infoid=1749 |archive-date=22 December 2008}} It renewed all agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which were signed by the time Argentina defaulted on its own deals in 2001. His government achieved a satisfactory primary budget surplus in the first two years, as required by the IMF agreement, exceeding the target for the third year. In late 2005, the government paid off its debt to the IMF in full, two years ahead of schedule.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4527438.stm|title=Brazil to pay off IMF debts early|work=BBC News|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=14 December 2005 |access-date=27 April 2007 |archive-date=8 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308174947/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4527438.stm |url-status=live}} The Brazilian economy was generally not affected by the 2005 Mensalão scandal, which related to vote buying in the Brazilian Congress.{{cite news|author=Ivo Patarra|author-link=Ivo Patarra|title=O Chefe (The Boss) by Ivo Patarra|url=http://www.escandalodomensalao.com.br |access-date=19 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422145751/http://www.escandalodomensalao.com.br/ |archive-date=22 April 2018 |url-status=dead}}

File:DirceuLulaPalocci.JPG, Lula, and finance minister Antonio Palocci, 2003]]

In June 2005, economist and attorney José Dirceu, Lula's chief-of-staff since 2003, resigned after he was caught up in a massive corruption scheme in the legislature, the Mensalão corruption scandal.{{Cite web|url=https://en.mercopress.com/2005/09/25/dirceu-involves-lula-da-silva-in-bribes-scandal|title=Dirceu involves Lula da Silva in bribes scandal|website=MercoPress|access-date=2 March 2024|archive-date=2 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302214805/https://en.mercopress.com/2005/09/25/dirceu-involves-lula-da-silva-in-bribes-scandal|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.v-brazil.com/lula/jose-dirceu.html|title=José Dirceu|website=www.v-brazil.com|access-date=2 March 2024|archive-date=2 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302214805/http://www.v-brazil.com/lula/jose-dirceu.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20121004-brazil-judge-lula-chief-staff-says-dirceu-mastermind-vote-buying-mensalao|title=Brazil judge says Lula aid 'masterminded' vote buying|date=4 October 2012|website=France 24|access-date=24 February 2024|archive-date=24 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224043810/https://www.france24.com/en/20121004-brazil-judge-lula-chief-staff-says-dirceu-mastermind-vote-buying-mensalao|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2006/03/02/lulas-leap|title=Lula's leap|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=2 March 2024|archive-date=2 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302214804/https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2006/03/02/lulas-leap|url-status=live}} In March 2006, Lula's finance minister Antonio Palocci, who had continued the anti-inflation and pro-market policies of the previous centrist government, resigned due to his involvement in a corruption and abuse of power scandal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna12044231|title=Brazil's finance minister resigns amid scandal|date=28 March 2006|website=NBC News|access-date=2 March 2024|archive-date=2 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302215209/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna12044231|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://lawliberty.org/trauma-in-brazil/|title=Trauma in Brazil – Rodrigo Constantino|first=Rodrigo|last=Constantino|date=25 April 2016|access-date=2 March 2024|archive-date=2 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302214807/https://lawliberty.org/trauma-in-brazil/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://en.mercopress.com/2016/09/27/palocci-the-brainchild-behind-the-successful-years-of-ex-president-lula-da-silva|title=Palocci, the brainchild behind the successful years of ex president Lula da Silva|website=MercoPress}} Lula then appointed Guido Mantega, a PT economist, as finance minister.

Not long after the start of his second term, in 2007 Lula's government announced the Growth Acceleration Programme ({{Lang|pt|Programa de Aceleração de Crescimento}}, PAC), an investment programme which sought to solve many of the problems that prevented the Brazilian economy from expanding more rapidly. The measures included investment in the creation and repair of roads and railways, simplification and reduction of taxation, and modernization of the country's energy production to avoid further shortages. The money pledged to be spent on this programme was to be around R$ 500 billion (US ${{To USD round|500|BRA|year=2007|sf=2}} billion) over four years. However, by 2010 many projects remained mired in bureaucracy, and only 11% of the projects outlined in the plan had been completed, while just over half had not even been launched.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704743404575127913634823670|title=For Brazil, It's Finally Tomorrow|first=Paulo|last=Prada|newspaper=WSJ|access-date=2 March 2024|archive-date=2 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302211643/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704743404575127913634823670|url-status=live}}

Prior to taking office, Lula had been a critic of privatization.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-lula-analysis/lula-gives-state-heavier-hand-in-brazil-economy-idUSTRE5A24ZA20091104/|title=Lula gives state heavier hand in Brazil economy |website=Reuters }} His administration created public-private partnership concessions for seven federal roadways.{{cite news|author1=Isabel Clemente|author2=Leal, Andréa|author3=Neves, Maria Laura|title=Enfim, Lula privatizou...|url=http://revistaepoca.globo.com/Revista/Epoca/0,,EDG79551-6009,00.html|work=Época|publisher=Rede Globo |access-date=5 April 2008|language=pt |archive-date=12 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012160951/http://revistaepoca.globo.com/Revista/Epoca/0,,EDG79551-6009,00.html |url-status=live}} After decades with the largest foreign debt among emerging economies, Brazil became a net creditor for the first time in January 2008.{{cite news|author1=Guillermo Parra-Bernal|author2=Pimentel, Lester|title=Brazil Became Net Creditor for First Time in January|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aPLYQJIG_Re8|work=Bloomberg.com|publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=6 January 2008 |archive-date=10 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510113553/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aPLYQJIG_Re8 |url-status=live}} By mid-2008, both Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor's had elevated the classification of Brazilian debt from speculative to investment grade. Banks made record profits under Lula's government.{{cite web|url=http://alainet.org/active/19077&lang=es|title=Lula e o lucro recorde dos bancos|publisher=ALAI|date=16 August 2007 |access-date=23 June 2009|language=pt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124161741/http://alainet.org/active/19077%26lang%3Des |archive-date=24 November 2011 |url-status=dead}}

File:President Lula at Independence Day commemorations (2007).jpg review troops during the 2007 Independence Day military parade]]

The 2008 financial crisis might have been a tsunami in the US and Europe, Lula declared, but in Brazil it would be no more than a little 'ripple' ("{{Lang|pt|uma marolinha}}"). The phrase was seized on by the Brazilian press as proof of Lula's reckless economic ignorance and irresponsibility.[http://www.lrb.co.uk/v33/n07/perry-anderson/lulas-brazil Lula's Brazil] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502184951/https://www.lrb.co.uk/v33/n07/perry-anderson/lulas-brazil |date=2 May 2019 }} by Perry Anderson – Vol. 33 No. 7 · 31 March 2011 pages 3–12 In 2008, Brazil enjoyed economic good health to mitigate the 2008 financial crisis with a large economic stimulus lasting, at least, until 2014.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2014/03/31/after-latin-americas-boom-years-anticipating-the-deluge|title=After Latin America's boom years, anticipating the deluge|first=John Paul|last=Rathbone|date=31 March 2014 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140406014406/http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2014/03/31/after-latin-americas-boom-years-anticipating-the-deluge/ | archive-date = 6 April 2014|website=The Financial Times}} According to The Washington Post: "Under Lula, Brazil became the world's eighth-largest economy, [and] more than 20 million people rose out of acute poverty ..."

At the same time, in 2010 The Wall Street Journal noted that: "[Brazil's] public sector is bloated and riddled with corruption. Crime is rampant. Its infrastructure is badly in need of repair and expansion. The business environment is restrictive, with a labour code ripped from the pages of Benito Mussolini's economic playbook. Brazil also risks patting itself on the back so much that it fails to see the colossal work that remains to be done."

File:1988- Deforestation rates in Brazil - Terra Brasilis.svg

Initially, Lula's administration pushed for progressive policies that significantly curbed deforestation in the Amazon. Despite this, he did not support legislation that would have required the country to phase out its fossil fuels.

In May 2008, environmental minister Marina Silva resigned, blamed "stagnation" in the government, after she lost disagreements with Lula when she opposed approval of new hydroelectric dams in the Amazon and criticized Lula's biofuels programme.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/16/world/americas/16brazil.html|title='Stagnation' Made Brazil's Environment Chief Resign|first=Alexei|last=Barrionuevo|date=16 May 2008|work=The New York Times|access-date=3 March 2024|archive-date=3 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303091020/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/16/world/americas/16brazil.html|url-status=live}} Dr. Daniel Nepstad of the Woods Hole Research Centre said the growing demand for biofuels may ultimately result in more Amazon deforestation.{{Cite web|url=https://news.mongabay.com/2009/07/smart-biofuels-that-dont-hurt-people-or-the-environment-are-possible/|title=Smart biofuels that don't hurt people or the environment are possible|date=16 July 2009|website=Mongabay Environmental News}} In particular, environmentalists warn that while biofuels reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, they may well also trigger a significant expansion of the biofuel crops; that, in turn, may push agriculture deeper into forests, destroying habitat and biodiversity.{{Cite news|url=https://ecoa.org.br/biofuel-boom-sparks-environmental-fears/|title=Biofuel Boom Sparks Environmental Fears|first=Gleidson|last=Cesar|newspaper=Ecoa|date=16 October 2006|access-date=4 March 2024|archive-date=4 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304003852/https://ecoa.org.br/biofuel-boom-sparks-environmental-fears/|url-status=live}}

File:The Belo Monte Dam - the costs.png

The creation of conservation areas and indigenous reserves led to a decrease of around 75% in deforestation starting in 2004.[https://successfulsocieties.princeton.edu/sites/successfulsocieties/files/RJ_NORAD_BrazilFederal.pdf Reducing Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, 2003–2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003152035/https://successfulsocieties.princeton.edu/sites/successfulsocieties/files/RJ_NORAD_BrazilFederal.pdf |date=3 October 2022 }}, Princeton University, 2015 In Lula's first year in office, in 2003–04, 25,000 square kilometers of Brazilian forest were destroyed, the second-worst devastation since 1977.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yfdiDgAAQBAJ&dq=%22lula%22+deforestation+before:2012&pg=PA143 | isbn=978-1-84813-355-6 | title=Lula of Brazil: The Story So Far | date=21 November 2008 | publisher=Zed Books }} In late 2006, the Instituto Soicioambiental environmental group said that deforestation in Lula's first four years had been worse than in any four-year period since 1988.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-wyX_uba-o0C&dq=%22lula%22+deforestation+before:2012&pg=PA31|title=Global Environmental Governance|first=James Gustave Speth And Peter M.|last=Haas|date=8 September 2007|publisher=Pearson Education India|isbn=978-81-317-0922-1 |via=Google Books}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=08OV704armMC&dq=%22lula%22+deforestation+before:2012&pg=PA1410|title=Encyclopedia of the Developing World|first=Thomas M.|last=Leonard|date=8 December 2006|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-415-97664-0 |via=Google Books}} By 2009, Brazil's Amazon destruction—though lower—was still about 7,000 square kilometers a year, larger than the US state of Delaware.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/nov/27/lula-gringos-pay-protect-amazon|title=Brazilian president says 'gringos' must pay to protect Amazon|agency=Associated Press|date=27 November 2009|work=The Guardian}} Critics said, however, that Brazil's lowest rate of deforestation in 2009 was a function of the 2008 financial crisis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/brazil-in-tricky-balancing-act-to-fight-climate-change/a-5683798|title=Brazilian dilemma |date=June 15, 2010|website=DW}} Paulo Adario of Greenpeace said that it was a function not of efforts to protect the climate, but of the fact that the "demand for beef, soya and wood ha[d] dramatically fallen".

In 2009, Lula gave a speech in which he said that "gringos" should pay Amazon nations to prevent deforestation.

In February 2010, Lula's government approved the construction of a controversial hydroelectric mega Belo Monte Dam in the middle of the Amazon rain forest in the Brazilian state of Pará. It was to be the third-largest hydroelectric dam in the world. Environmental activists protested the building of the dam. It was expected to cause a significant decline in the water table, resulting in significant losses of aquatic and terrestrial fauna, and adversely impact aquatic mammals.{{Cite web|url=https://nacla.org/article/brazil%E2%80%99s-native-peoples-and-belo-monte-dam-case-study|title=Brazil's Native Peoples and the Belo Monte Dam: A Case Study|website=NACLA}} Approximately 20,000-40,000 indigenous people were to be resettled with little or no compensation, and 516 square kilometers (199 square miles) of rain forest were to be flooded for the dam's construction.

{{main|Foreign relations of Brazil}}

File:FIDEL NA POSSE DO LULA EM 2003.jpg, 2003]]

File:President Barack Obama meets with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silvia crop.jpg greets Lula in the Oval Office, 2009]]

File:Lula Khamenei Teerã 2010.jpg Ali Khamenei, 2010]]

File:Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva & Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Brasilia, 27 May 2010 (5).jpg negotiated a failed 2010 Iran nuclear fuel swap deal]]

File:BRIC2010.jpg]]

In 1979, Lula was asked in an interview which historical figures he admired most. He answered: Gandhi, Che Guevara, and Mao Zedong.{{Cite web|url=https://www1-folha-uol-com-br.translate.goog/fsp/1994/4/21/brasil/10.html?_x_tr_sl=pt&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc|title=Lula declarou admirar Hitler e Khomeini|date=April 21, 1994|website=Folha de S.Paulo|access-date=3 March 2024|archive-date=3 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303060533/https://www1-folha-uol-com-br.translate.goog/fsp/1994/4/21/brasil/10.html?_x_tr_sl=pt&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc|url-status=live}} Upon being asked to give additional examples, he added Fidel Castro saying: "I admire in a man the fire to want to do something, and then his going out to try to do it."{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/27/magazine/poor-man-s-burden.html|title=Poor Man's Burden|first=Barry|last=Bearak|date=27 June 2004|work=The New York Times|access-date=21 February 2024|archive-date=21 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221090902/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/27/magazine/poor-man-s-burden.html|url-status=live}}

Leading a large agricultural state, Lula generally opposed and criticized farm subsidies, and this position has been seen as one of the reasons for the walkout of developing nations and subsequent collapse of the Cancún World Trade Organization talks in 2003 over G8 agricultural subsidies.{{cite magazine|last=Padgett|first=Tim|date=26 April 2004|title=Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva|magazine=Time|url=http://www.time.com/time/subscriber/2004/time100/leaders/100lula.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028105714/http://www.time.com/time/subscriber/2004/time100/leaders/100lula.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 October 2007 |access-date=26 March 2008}} Brazil played a role in negotiations regarding internal conflicts in Venezuela and Colombia, and made efforts to strengthen Mercosur.{{cite news|author1=Lapper, Richard|author2=Wheatley, Jonathan|author3=Silva, Luiz Inácio Lula da|title=Interview transcript: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/6d42ae3a-110b-11db-9a72-0000779e2340.html|work=The Financial Times|location=Brasília, Brazil|date=11 July 2006 |access-date=5 April 2008 |archive-date=5 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305083156/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/6d42ae3a-110b-11db-9a72-0000779e2340.html |url-status=live}} During the Lula administration, Brazilian foreign trade increased dramatically, changing from deficits to several surpluses after 2003. In 2004, the surplus was US$29 billion, due to a substantial increase in global demand for commodities. Brazil also provided UN peacekeeping troops and led a peacekeeping mission in Haiti.{{cite web|url=http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/mundo/ult94u680359.shtml|title=Tropas brasileiras ainda lideram missão no Haiti, diz Jobim|author=Cirilo Junior|date=16 January 2010|work=Folha de S.Paulo|access-date= 29 March 2012|archive-date= 22 March 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120322042415/http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/mundo/ult94u680359.shtml|url-status= live}}

According to The Economist of 2 March 2006, Lula had a pragmatic foreign policy, seeing himself as a negotiator, not an ideologue, a leader adept at reconciling opposites. As a result, he befriended both Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez and U.S. President George W. Bush.{{cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/node/5578770|title=Brazil: Lula's leap; The Economist talks to Brazil's president|newspaper=The Economist|date=2 March 2006|url-access=limited|access-date=27 October 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924215111/http://www.economist.com/node/5578770|url-status=live}} Former Finance Minister, and current advisor, Delfim Netto, said: "Lula is the ultimate pragmatist".{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-latin5-2008oct05,0,1861646.story|title=Brazil's Lula takes center stage in Latin America|work=The Los Angeles Times|date=5 October 2008 |access-date=2 July 2009|first1=Chris|last1=Kraul|first2=Patrick J.|last2=McDonnell |archive-date=8 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008083022/http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-latin5-2008oct05,0,1861646.story |url-status=live}}

He travelled to more than 80 countries during his presidency. A goal of Lula's foreign policy was for the country to gain a seat as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. In this he was unsuccessful.{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2010/05/201051863755456601.html|last=Davies|first=Rhodri|title=The axis of Brazil|work=Al Jazeera English|date=22 May 2010 |access-date=3 October 2010 |archive-date=1 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201010053/http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2010/05/201051863755456601.html |url-status=live}}

From 2003 to 2010, Lula embraced China as central to reforming what he considered an unjust global order.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/04/13/lula-should-be-clear-eyed-about-beijing|title=Lula Should Be Clear-Eyed About Beijing|work= Human Rights Watch|date=13 April 2023}} He intertwined the Chinese and Brazilian economies.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSPEK268985/|title=China signs $10 bln loan-for-oil deal with Brazil |website=Reuters |date=May 19, 2009}}{{Cite web|url=https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/iez/global/50190.pdf|title="Economic Relations between Brazil and China: A Difficult Partnership"|access-date=25 February 2024|archive-date=19 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419183710/https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/iez/global/50190.pdf|url-status=live}} Lula stated Brazil's commitment to the One China principle that is the position held by the People's Republic of China and the ruling Chinese Communist Party, saying that the government of the People's Republic of China was the sole legal government representing the whole of China, including Taiwan—as part of China.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/wjdt_665385/2649_665393/200906/t20090610_679258.html|title=Joint Communiqué Between the People's Republic of China and The Federative Republic of Brazil on Further Strengthening China-Brazil Strategic Partnership|website=mfa.gov.cn|access-date=25 February 2024|archive-date=25 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225062245/https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/wjdt_665385/2649_665393/200906/t20090610_679258.html|url-status=live}}

Lula and Cuban president Fidel Castro were longtime friends.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN24215839/|title=Lula, Fidel Castro hold "emotional" meeting |website=Reuters|date=February 24, 2010}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/28/world/leftist-handily-wins-brazilian-presidential-race.html|title=Leftist Handily Wins Brazilian Presidential Race|first=Larry|last=Rohter|date=28 October 2002|work=The New York Times|access-date=23 February 2024|archive-date=23 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223223615/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/28/world/leftist-handily-wins-brazilian-presidential-race.html|url-status=live}} Under Lula, Brazil provided money and corporate support to Cuba.{{Cite web|url=https://en.mercopress.com/2003/09/27/brazil-cuba-sign-200m-in-business-deals|title=Brazil, Cuba Sign $200M in Business Deals.|website=MercoPress}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/feb/25/fidel-castro-cuba-lula-brazil|title=Fidel Castro holds 'emotional' meeting with Brazilian president|first=Haroon|last=Siddique|date=25 February 2010|work=The Guardian|access-date=23 February 2024|archive-date=7 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907111939/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/feb/25/fidel-castro-cuba-lula-brazil|url-status=live}} The state-controlled Brazilian oil company Petrobras studied the possibility of drilling for oil off of Cuba, while the Odebrecht construction firm headed a revamp of the Cuban port of Mariel into the island's main commercial port.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN15536192/|title=Brazil's Lula offers Cuba oil knowhow, credit |website=Reuters}} Brazil's state-run Brazilian Development Bank gave $300 million to Odebrecht to build new roads, rail lines, wharves, and warehouses at Mariel. Brazil also offered Cuba up to $1 billion in credit lines to pay for Brazilian goods and services.

The conviction by an Iranian court of Iranian Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani for the crime of adultery, with a sentence in 2006 of execution by stoning, led to calls for Lula to intercede on her behalf. In July 2010, Lula said "I need to respect the laws of a [foreign] country. If my friendship with the president of Iran and the respect that I have for him is worth something, if this woman has become a nuisance, we will receive her in Brazil". The Iranian government declined his offer.{{cite news|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2010/08/lula_stonewalled_by_iran.html|first=Jackson|last=Diehl|author-link=Jackson Diehl|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=Lula: Stonewalled by Iran|date=3 August 2010|access-date=26 July 2017|archive-date=1 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801031120/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2010/08/lula_stonewalled_by_iran.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/01/iran-stoning-woman-brazil|location=London|work=The Guardian|title=Iran stoning woman offered asylum by Brazil's president Lula|date=1 August 2010 | access-date=17 December 2016 | archive-date=14 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114175217/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/01/iran-stoning-woman-brazil | url-status=live}} Mina Ahadi, an Iranian Communist politician, welcomed Lula's offer, but reiterated a call for an end to stoning altogether and requested a cessation of recognition and support for the Iranian government.{{cite press release|url=http://stopstonningnow.com/wpress/1377|title=Press Release 29: On Brazilian offer of asylum to Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani|publisher=International Committee Against Stoning|date=31 July 2010 |access-date=3 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511125507/http://stopstonningnow.com/wpress/1377|archive-date=11 May 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://stopstonningnow.com/wpress/1492|first=Mina|last=Ahadi|author-link=Mina Ahadi|title=Open letter to the Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva A regime of stoning should not be recognised|publisher=International Committee Against Stoning|date=2 August 2010 |access-date=3 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511125520/http://stopstonningnow.com/wpress/1492|archive-date=11 May 2011}}{{cite web|author=Mirian|url=http://veja.abril.com.br/noticia/internacional/porta-voz-do-comite-internacional-contra-apedrejamento-envia-carta-aberta-a-lula|title=Porta voz do Comitê Internacional contra Apedrejamento envia carta aberta a Lula|work=Veja|publisher=Grupo Abril|date=21 August 2010|access-date=3 October 2010|archive-date=20 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820045612/http://veja.abril.com.br/noticia/internacional/porta-voz-do-comite-internacional-contra-apedrejamento-envia-carta-aberta-a-lula|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=Amauri Arrais |url=http://g1.globo.com/mundo/noticia/2010/07/lula-pode-ajudar-libertar-condenada-apedrejamento-diz-ativista-iraniana.html|title=G1 – Lula pode ajudar a libertar condenada a apedrejamento, diz ativista iraniana – notícias em Mundo|work=G1|publisher=Grupo Globo|date=30 July 2010 |access-date=3 October 2010 |archive-date=2 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802082415/http://g1.globo.com/mundo/noticia/2010/07/lula-pode-ajudar-libertar-condenada-apedrejamento-diz-ativista-iraniana.html |url-status=live}} Jackson Diehl, deputy editorial page editor of The Washington Post, called Lula the "best friend of tyrants in the democratic world," and criticised his actions. Shirin Ebadi, Iranian human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate called Lula's comments a "powerful message to the Islamic Republic".[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/shirin-ebadi/when-adultery-means-death_b_674439.html Shirin Ebadi: When Adultery Means Death] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809052714/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shirin-ebadi/when-adultery-means-death_b_674439.html |date=9 August 2017 }}. Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved on 29 November 2010.

In 2009, Lula warmly hosted Iranian president Ahmadinejad, who made a controversial visit to Brazil.Maaike Warnaar (2013). [https://books.google.com/books?id=RhKxAgAAQBAJ&dq=lula+%22was+criticized%22&pg=PA77 Iranian Foreign Policy During Ahmadinejad; Ideology and Actions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907111939/https://books.google.com/books?id=RhKxAgAAQBAJ&dq=lula+%22was+criticized%22&pg=PA77#v=onepage&q=lula%20%22was%20criticized%22&f=false |date=7 September 2024 }}{{Cite journal|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2009/1123/why-iran-s-ahmadinejad-is-warmly-welcomed-in-brazil|title=Why Iran's Ahmadinejad is warmly welcomed in Brazil|journal=Christian Science Monitor|access-date=22 February 2024|archive-date=22 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222103834/https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2009/1123/why-iran-s-ahmadinejad-is-warmly-welcomed-in-brazil|url-status=live}} Some demonstrators expressed displeasure over Ahmadinejad's positions on human rights and his denial of the Holocaust.{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/11/23/iran.south.america/index.html|title=Ahmadinejad's visit to Brazil draws criticism|website=CNN|access-date=22 February 2024|archive-date=20 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220060358/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/11/23/iran.south.america/index.html|url-status=live}}

In May 2010, Lula and Turkey's prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan negotiated a preliminary fuel swap agreement with the Iranian government on uranium enrichment, that ultimately failed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.americanprogress.org/article/brazil-in-the-middle-east/|title=Brazil in the Middle East|date=17 June 2010|access-date=28 February 2024|archive-date=28 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228045148/https://www.americanprogress.org/article/brazil-in-the-middle-east/|url-status=live}} The preliminary agreement that they presented to the United Nations was at odds with what the International Atomic Energy Agency and other countries viewed as necessary actions to stop Iran from obtaining weapons grade materials. Within hours of signing the agreement, Iran did an about-face and announced that it would continue to enrich some uranium.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/05/28/us.allies.iran/index.html|title=Obama administration tries to dampen dispute with allies over Iran|website=CNN|access-date=28 February 2024|archive-date=28 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228045148/http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/05/28/us.allies.iran/index.html|url-status=live}} U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Brazil was being "used" by Tehran. The UN Security Council ultimately rejected it when permanent member country representatives argued that "the swap proposal negotiated by Brazil and Turkey would leave Iran with enough material to make a nuclear weapon," and that "Iran intends to continue a new programme of enriching uranium to a higher level." Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Thomas Friedman wrote: "Is there anything uglier than watching democrats sell out other democrats to a Holocaust-denying, vote-stealing Iranian thug just to tweak the U.S. and show that they, too, can play at the big power table?"{{Cite news|first=Thomas L.|last=Friedman|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/opinion/26friedman.html|title=As Ugly as It Gets|work=The New York Times|date=25 May 2010}} Moisés Naím, editor in chief of Foreign Policy magazine and former Minister of Trade in Venezuela, said "Lula is a political giant, but morally he has been a deep disappointment." In 2010, in addition, Brazilians largely disagreed with Lula as to how to handle Iran and Iran's nuclear weapons programme.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2010/09/22/brazilians-upbeat-about-their-country-despite-its-problems/|title=Brazilians Upbeat About Their Country, Despite Its Problems|work=Pew Research Center|date=22 September 2010|access-date=25 February 2024|archive-date=25 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225062239/https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2010/09/22/brazilians-upbeat-about-their-country-despite-its-problems/|url-status=live}} While Lula opposed additional international economic sanctions against Iran, of the 85% of Brazilians who opposed Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, two-thirds approved of tighter international sanctions on Iran to try to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.

In 2003, Lula condemned the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, saying that the United States had no right "to decide unilaterally what is good and what is bad for the world".{{cite news |title=Latin Americans Rally Against Iraq War |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-a-2003-03-23-7-latin-67456307/385410.html |work=VOA News |date=23 March 2003 |access-date=11 July 2023 |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711095528/https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-a-2003-03-23-7-latin-67456307/385410.html |url-status=live }} He said that "the behaviour of the United States in relation to Iraq has weakened the United Nations".{{cite news |title=Lula blasts US over De Mello tragedy |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2003/8/23/lula-blasts-us-over-de-mello-tragedy |work=Al Jazeera |date=23 August 2003 |access-date=11 July 2023 |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711095528/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2003/8/23/lula-blasts-us-over-de-mello-tragedy |url-status=live }}

Brazil, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, abstained from the vote authorising "all necessary measures" against Libya's Muammar Gaddafi.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2011/3/30/brazil-stares-down-the-us-on-libya|title=Brazil stares down US on Libya|first=Greg|last=Grandin|website=Al Jazeera|access-date=4 March 2024|archive-date=4 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304090106/https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2011/3/30/brazil-stares-down-the-us-on-libya|url-status=live}} It opposed the bombing in Libya to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973. Lula said: "These invasions only happen because the United Nations is weak."

Lula was close with Venezuela's president Hugo Chávez, a close ally of Communist Cuba and an antagonist of the United States.Terrence McCoy and Marina Dias (May 20, 2023). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/05/30/lula-maduro/ "Brazil's Lula promised to save democracy. Why is he embracing Maduro?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530221752/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/05/30/lula-maduro/ |date=30 May 2023 }} The Washington Post.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-venezuela/brazils-lula-defends-chavez-as-referendum-nears-idUSN2536376520071125/|title=Brazil's Lula defends Chavez as referendum nears|website=Reuters|date=November 25, 2007|access-date=25 February 2024|archive-date=26 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726210734/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-venezuela/brazils-lula-defends-chavez-as-referendum-nears-idUSN2536376520071125|url-status=live}} In November 2007, Lula defended Chávez as the democratic choice of his people. He said: "There is no risk with Chávez." Expressing his admiration for Chávez, he said "Only thanks to Chávez's leadership, the people [of Venezuela] have had extraordinary achievements," and that in 2008 that Chávez was "the best president the country has had in 100 years."{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/474c851c-6a32-3e98-ac08-8e17a458463a|title=x|website=The Financial Times|access-date=25 February 2024|archive-date=7 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907111941/https://www.ft.com/content/474c851c-6a32-3e98-ac08-8e17a458463a|url-status=live}} However, in 2010 Brazilians largely had a different view than Lula, as only 13% had at least some confidence in Chávez, while 70% had little or no confidence in him.

After Lula was infuriated by a May 9, 2004, New York Times article that claimed he had a drinking problem, Brazil ordered the New York Times reporter, Larry Rohter, to leave the country and revoked his visa because he had written a story "offensive to the honour of the president."{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/09/world/brazilian-leader-s-tippling-becomes-national-concern.html|title=Brazilian Leader's Tippling Becomes National Concern|first=Larry|last=Rohter|work=The New York Times|date=9 May 2004|access-date=29 February 2024|archive-date=8 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908002255/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/09/world/brazilian-leader-s-tippling-becomes-national-concern.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/may/13/pressandpublishing.brazil|title=Brazil expels New York Times reporter for offensive story|first=Gareth|last=Chetwynd|date=13 May 2004|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=29 February 2024|archive-date=7 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907111940/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/may/13/pressandpublishing.brazil|url-status=live}} Lula said: "Certainly its author ... must be more worried than I am ... it deserves action." Brazil's presidential palace threatened to take legal action against the New York Times, which stood by the story and said that the expulsion raised serious questions about freedom of expression and freedom of the press in Brazil. No journalist had been expelled from Brazil since its military dictatorship ended in the mid-1980s. Brazilian opposition senator Tasso Jereissati said: "This is ridiculous. It's more like the immature act of a dictator of a third-rate republic..." Brazil's second largest union, Força Sindical, issued a statement expressing concern that: "it is a reaction typical of authoritarian governments that don't like contrary voices." Despite criticism, on May 13, 2004, Lula said "he would not consider revoking the action." The government subsequently changed its position, and allowed the reporter to remain.{{Cite book|url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2005/country-chapters/brazil|title=Brazil: Events of 2004|date=31 January 2005|publisher=Human Rights Watch|access-date=29 February 2024|archive-date=7 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907111958/https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2005/country-chapters/brazil|url-status=live}}

Three months later, Lula introduced legislation to create a Brazil National Journalists' Council that would have the power to "orient, discipline and monitor" journalists and their work.{{Cite web|url=https://www1-folha-uol-com-br.translate.goog/folha/brasil/ult96u63040.shtml?_x_tr_sl=pt&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc|title=Brasil – Lula quer conselho para fiscalizar jornalismo 4|date=August 6, 2004|website=Folha|access-date=29 February 2024|archive-date=29 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229204324/https://www1-folha-uol-com-br.translate.goog/folha/brasil/ult96u63040.shtml?_x_tr_sl=pt&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc|url-status=live}} Critics called the draft law the worst affront to press freedom since censorship under the military dictatorship. The government also proposed the establishment of a National Cinema and Audiovisual Agency that would have the power to conduct prior reviews of programming and to veto certain programmes if they believed that they did not to meet standards of "editorial responsibility."

{{See also|List of scandals in Brazil}}

Lula's administration was plagued by numerous corruption scandals, notably the Mensalão $50 million vote-buying scandal and {{Interlanguage link|Escândalo dos sanguessugas|pt}} during Lula's first term.{{Cite web|last=Ramos|first=Natalia|date=13 March 2016|title=Scandal taints Brazil's working-class hero Lula|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/scandal-taints-brazils-working-class-hero-lula-31019288.html |access-date=1 November 2022|website=Agence France-Presse|language=en-NZ |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101200455/https://au.news.yahoo.com/scandal-taints-brazils-working-class-hero-lula-31019288.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Colitt|first=Raymond|date=21 January 2007|title=Brazil's Lula pledges economic growth in 2nd term|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-lula-idUSN2838881720070101 |access-date=1 November 2022 |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101200457/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-lula-idUSN2838881720070101 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.americasquarterly.org/blog/brazils-future-in-the-shadow-of-the-mensalao/|title=Brazil's Future in the Shadow of the Mensalão|work=Americas Quarterly|access-date=24 February 2024|archive-date=24 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224045329/https://www.americasquarterly.org/blog/brazils-future-in-the-shadow-of-the-mensalao/|url-status=live}}

In the 2005 Mensalão $50 million vote-buying scandal, Brazilian attorney general Álvaro Augusto Ribeiro Costa presented charges against 40 politicians and officials involved in the Mensalão affair, including several charges against Lula himself. Lula said that he knew nothing about the scandals.{{cite web|url=http://politica.estadao.com.br/noticias/geral,veja-tudo-o-que-lula-nao-sabia,28644|date=2 August 2007|title=Veja tudo o que Lula 'não sabia'|work=Estadão\|publisher=Grupo Estado|language=pt|access-date=24 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202223656/http://politica.estadao.com.br/noticias/geral,veja-tudo-o-que-lula-nao-sabia,28644|url-status=live}}

Among those convicted were Jose Dirceu (who was Lula's chief of staff and right-hand man from 2003 to 2005; he was sentenced to over 10 years in jail), and both the former head of Lula's Workers Party, Jose Genoino, and its treasurer, Delubio Soares.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-20764518|title=Brazil 'Mensalao' corruption trial concludes|date=17 December 2012|work=BBC|access-date=24 February 2024|archive-date=24 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224043810/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-20764518|url-status=live}} Dirceu and officials Luiz Gushiken and Humberto Costa said that Lula was not involved. Roberto Jefferson said that if Lula didn't "commit a crime by action, he committed it by omission."{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/16/international/americas/brazils-congress-expels-corruption-whistleblower.html|title=Brazil's Congress Expels Corruption Whistle-Blower|work=The New York Times |date=16 September 2005}} But one of Lula's own party members, Arlindo Chinaglia, alleged that Lula had been warned about the matter, and businessman Marcos Valério, who was sentenced to more than 40 years in prison for his involvement in the scandal, alleged in testimony after he was convicted that Lula had authorized loans for the scheme and used some of the money to pay for his personal expenses.{{cite web|url=http://veja.abril.com.br/noticia/brasil/lula-sabia-sim-mensalao-confirma-chinaglia|title=Lula sabia, sim, do mensalão, confirma Chinaglia|work=Veja|publisher=Grupo Abril|date=30 October 2009|access-date=22 February 2013|archive-date=28 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528045344/http://veja.abril.com.br/noticia/brasil/lula-sabia-sim-mensalao-confirma-chinaglia|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://americasquarterly.org/blog/lulas-involvement-in-mensalao-corruption-scandal-to-be-investigated/|title=Lula's Involvement in Mensalão Corruption Scandal to Be Investigated|work=Americas Quarterly|access-date=24 February 2024|archive-date=7 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907111942/https://americasquarterly.org/blog/lulas-involvement-in-mensalao-corruption-scandal-to-be-investigated/|url-status=live}}

His administration was criticized for relying on local, right-of-centre political barons, like José Sarney, Jader Barbalho, Renan Calheiros and Fernando Collor to ensure a majority in Congress. Another frequent reproach was his ambiguous treatment of the left wing of the PT. Analysts felt that he would occasionally give in to left-wing calls for tighter government control on media and increased state intervention: in 2004, he pushed for the creation of a "Federal Council of Journalists" (CFJ) and a "National Cinema Agency" (Ancinav), the latter designed to overhaul funding for electronic communications. Both proposals ultimately failed amid concerns over the effect of state control on free speech.Caram, Fabio. [https://archive.today/20120912033120/http://www.observatoriodaimprensa.com.br/artigos.asp?cod=290JDB017 Conselho, imprensa e controle], Observatório da Imprensa, 17 August 2004.[https://archive.today/20091206034637/http://www.estadao.com.br/estadaodehoje/20090906/not_imp430262,0.php Op. Ed.] O Estado de S. Paulo, 6 September 2009.

Before a G-20 summit in London in March 2009, Lula caused an uproar by declaring that the economic crisis was caused by "the irrational behavior of white people with blue eyes, who before seemed to know everything, and now have shown they don't know anything".{{cite news|title=Brazil's 'Teflon' Leader Nicked by Slump|newspaper=The New York Times|date=2 April 2009|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/03/world/americas/03lula.html |access-date=23 July 2017|first=Alexei|last=Barrionuevo |archive-date=26 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126223718/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/03/world/americas/03lula.html |url-status=live}} He added: "I don't know any black or indigenous bankers."{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE53E76B/|title=Brazil's Lula repeats 'blue eyes' crisis comment|publisher= Reuters}} He repeated the accusation the following month.

When Italian far-left terrorist Cesare Battisti of the Armed Proletarians for Communism, wanted for four murders, was arrested in Rio de Janeiro in March 2007 by Brazilian and French police officers, Brazilian Minister of Justice Tarso Genro granted him status as a political refugee. It was a controversial decision, which divided Italy and the Brazilian and international press. In February 2009, the European Parliament adopted a resolution in support of Italy, and held a minute's silence in memory of Battisti's victims. In November 2009, the Brazilian Supreme Court declared the grant of refugee status illegal and allowed Battisti's extradition, but also stated that the Brazilian constitution gave the president the personal power to deny the extradition if he chose to, effectively putting the final decision in the hands of Lula.International Extradition Treaty-Protocol are made between presidents – [http://www.mcnabbassociates.com/Brazil%20International%20Extradition%20protocol%20with%20the%20United%20States.pdf Brazil International Extradition Treaty-Protocol with the United States] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305010210/http://www.mcnabbassociates.com/Brazil%20International%20Extradition%20protocol%20with%20the%20United%20States.pdf |date=5 March 2016 }} 18 June 1962, Date-Signed

Lula barred Battisti's extradition.{{cite web|url=http://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2010/12/lula-nega-extradicao-de-cesare-battisti-para-italia.html|date=31 December 2010|last=Bonin|first=Robson|work=G1|publisher=Grupo Globo|title=Lula nega extradição de Cesare Battisti para a Itália|language=pt|access-date=24 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202065007/http://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2010/12/lula-nega-extradicao-de-cesare-battisti-para-italia.html|url-status=live}} On 31 December 2010, Lula's last day in office, his decision not to allow Battisti's extradition was officially announced. Battisti was released on 9 June 2011 from prison, after the Brazilian Constitutional Court denied Italy's request to extradite him. Italy planned to appeal to the International Court of Justice in the Hague, saying Brazil had breached an extradition treaty.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/09/italy-to-appeal-cesare-battisti|newspaper=The Guardian|title=Italy to appeal against Brazil's refusal to extradite convicted killer|date=9 June 2011|access-date=24 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202113331/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/09/italy-to-appeal-cesare-battisti|url-status=live}} Lula's successor, President Michel Temer, revoked his status as a permanent resident in December and an arrest warrant was issued; Battisti then entered Bolivia illegally, and was arrested and extradited from Bolivia in January 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-46853465|title=Cesare Battisti: Ex-militant extradited by Bolivia arrives in Italy|publisher=BBC|date=14 January 2019| access-date=27 October 2019| archive-date=5 December 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205081554/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-46853465| url-status=live}}

In 2015, Lula, along with his former chief of staff {{Ill|Gilberto Carvalho|pt|Gilberto Carvalho|lt=Gilberto Carvalho}} and five others, was indicted in a corruption probe as part of {{Ill|Operation Zelotes|pt|Operação Zelotes|lt=Operation Zelotes}}, regarding payment of R$6 million in bribes (US ${{To USD round|5|BRA|year=2015|sf=2}} million). Prosecutors alleged they helped pass Provisional Measure 471 (which was later converted into Law 12,218/2010) in 2009 in order to benefit the automotive companies Grupo Caoa and MMC.{{cite web |author1=Gabriela Coelho |author2=Leonardo Lellis |date=21 June 2021 |title=Justiça Federal absolve Lula de suspeita de favorecer montadoras |url=https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/politica/2021/06/21/justica-federal-absolve-lula-de-suspeita-de-favorecer-montadoras |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715161040/https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/politica/2021/06/21/justica-federal-absolve-lula-de-suspeita-de-favorecer-montadoras |archive-date=15 July 2021 |access-date=15 July 2021 |work=CNN Brazil |language=pt}} On 21 June 2021, Judge Frederico Botelho de Barros Viana of the 10th Federal Court of Brasilia acquitted all the accused, saying that the prosecution did not convincingly demonstrate that the defendants were involved in a criminal conspiracy.{{cite web|author=Isador Peron|url=https://valorinveste.globo.com/mercados/brasil-e-politica/noticia/2021/06/21/juiz-de-brasilia-absolve-lula-em-acao-da-zelotes-sobre-beneficio-a-montadoras.ghtml|title=Juiz de Brasília absolve Lula em ação da Zelotes sobre benefício a montadoras|work=Valor Investe|language=pt|date=21 June 2021 | access-date = 15 July 2021 | archive-date = 15 July 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210715162052/https://valorinveste.globo.com/mercados/brasil-e-politica/noticia/2021/06/21/juiz-de-brasilia-absolve-lula-em-acao-da-zelotes-sobre-beneficio-a-montadoras.ghtml | url-status = live}}

File:Manifestação em frente ao Diretório Nacional do PT em São Paulo, março de 2016.jpg

File:Brazil protest 16 March 2016.jpg, the presidential palace, to protest against Lula's appointment as Chief of Staff of the Presidency, 16 March 2016]]

File:Dilma empossa Lula como Ministro Chefe da Casa Civil.jpg on 17 March 2016.]]

In 2014, Brazil began Operação Lava Jato (English: Operation Car Wash), resulting in several arrests and convictions, including nine suits against Lula.

In April 2015, the Public Ministry of Brazil opened an investigation into allegations of influence peddling by Lula, which alleged that between 2011 and 2014 he had lobbied for government contracts in foreign countries for the Odebrecht company and had also persuaded the Brazilian Development Bank to finance the projects in Ghana, Angola, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic.{{cite news|url=http://epoca.globo.com/tempo/noticia/2015/04/suspeitas-de-trafico-de-influencia-internacional-sobre-o-ex-presidente-lula.html|work=Época|publisher=Rede Globo|title=As suspeitas de tráfico de influência internacional sobre o ex-presidente Lula: O Ministério Público Federal abre uma investigação contra o petista – ele é suspeito de ajudar a Odebrecht em contratos bilionários|date=30 April 2015|access-date=27 October 2015|archive-date=26 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026003957/http://epoca.globo.com/tempo/noticia/2015/04/suspeitas-de-trafico-de-influencia-internacional-sobre-o-ex-presidente-lula.html|url-status=live}} In June 2015, Marcelo Odebrecht, president of Odebrecht, was arrested on charges that he had paid politicians $230 million in bribes.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/20/business/internationael/brazil-arrests-head-ofodebrecht-in-petrobras-scandal.html|title=Brazil Arrests Head of Odebrecht in Petrobras Scandal|work=The New York Times|date=19 June 2015}} Three other company executives were also arrested, as well as the chief executive of Andrade Gutierrez, another construction conglomerate.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/20/business/international/brazil-arrests-head-ofodebrecht-in-petrobras-scandal.html|newspaper=The New York Times|title=Brazil Arrests Head of Odebrecht in Petrobras Scandal|access-date=26 July 2017|date=19 June 2015|first=Dan|last=Horch|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930093115/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/20/business/international/brazil-arrests-head-ofodebrecht-in-petrobras-scandal.html|url-status=live}}

On 4 March 2016, as part of "Operation Car Wash", Brazilian authorities raided Lula's home.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/05/world/americas/brazil-raid-luiz-incio-lula-da-silva.html|title=Police Raid Home of Ex-President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil|last=Romero|first=Simon|work=The New York Times|date=4 March 2016 |access-date=4 March 2016|location=Rio de Janeiro|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304234231/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/05/world/americas/brazil-raid-luiz-incio-lula-da-silva.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.premiumherald.com/2016/03/04/police-question-brazils-ex-president-corruption-probe/|title=Police Question Brazil's Ex-President in Corruption Probe|date=4 March 2016|website=The Premium Herald|access-date=4 March 2016|archive-date=8 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308021937/http://www.premiumherald.com/2016/03/04/police-question-brazils-ex-president-corruption-probe/|url-status=live}} After the raid, the police detained Lula for questioning.{{cite news|url=http://www.euronews.com/2016/03/04/brazilian-police-bring-in-fromer-president-lula-da-silva-for-questioning-as|title=Former Brazil president Lula da Silva detained amid corruption investigation|date=4 March 2016|publisher=Euronews|access-date=4 March 2016|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305004850/http://www.euronews.com/2016/03/04/brazilian-police-bring-in-fromer-president-lula-da-silva-for-questioning-as/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-corruption-lula-idUSKCN0W60Z6|title=Brazil police detain former president Lula in anti-graft probe: source|last=Machado|first=Adriano|date=4 March 2016|work=Reuters|access-date=4 March 2016|location=São Paulo|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304145618/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-corruption-lula-idUSKCN0W60Z6|url-status=live}} A police statement alleged that Lula had collaborated in illegal bribes from the oil company Petrobras to benefit his political party and presidential campaign. Prosecutor Carlos Fernando said, "The favours to Lula from big construction companies involved in the fraud at Petrobras were many and hard to quantify".

{{cite news|url=http://citizen.co.za/afp_feed_article/brazils-lula-received-many-favors-from-corrupt-companies/|title=Brazil's Lula received 'many' favors from corrupt companies|work=The Citizen|agency=AFP|access-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304212134/http://citizen.co.za/afp_feed_article/brazils-lula-received-many-favors-from-corrupt-companies/|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}} Lula said that he and his party were being politically persecuted.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2016/07/29/brazils-ex-president-lula-wants-un-to-save-him-from-petrobras-noose|title=Brazil's Ex-President Lula Wants UN To Save Him From Petrobras Noose|magazine=Forbes|date=29 July 2016|access-date=26 January 2017|author=Kenneth Rapoza|archive-date=17 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017121044/http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2016/07/29/brazils-ex-president-lula-wants-un-to-save-him-from-petrobras-noose/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2015/12/1721006-no-depoimento-a-pf-lula-critica-lava-jato-e-admite-amizade-com-bumlai.shtml|language=pt|title=No depoimento à PF, Lula critica Lava Jato e admite amizade com Bumlai|work=Folha de S.Paulo|date=18 December 2015|access-date=26 January 2017|archive-date=20 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920123039/http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2015/12/1721006-no-depoimento-a-pf-lula-critica-lava-jato-e-admite-amizade-com-bumlai.shtml|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.infomoney.com.br/mercados/politica/noticia/5636243/assessoria-lula-critica-lava-jato-compara-operacao-com-video-porta|title=Assessoria de Lula critica Lava Jato e compara operação com vídeo do Porta dos Fundos|language=pt|date=11 October 2016|publisher=InfoMoney|access-date=26 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202100220/http://www.infomoney.com.br/mercados/politica/noticia/5636243/assessoria-lula-critica-lava-jato-compara-operacao-com-video-porta|url-status=live}}

On 16 March 2016, Rousseff appointed Lula as her chief of staff, a position comparable to that of prime minister. This would have shielded him from arrest due to the immunity that went with the position.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/17/world/americas/brazil-ex-president-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva.html|title=Ex-President 'Lula' Joins Brazil's Cabinet, Gaining Legal Shield|last=Romero|first=Simon|date=16 March 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=2 March 2017|archive-date=27 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227161036/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/17/world/americas/brazil-ex-president-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva.html|url-status=live}} Cabinet ministers in Brazil are among close to seven hundred senior government officials enjoying special judicial standing, which means they can only be tried by Brazil's Supreme Federal Court. Supreme Court Judge Gilmar Mendes suspended Lula's appointment on the grounds that Rousseff was trying to help Lula circumvent prosecution.{{cite web|url=http://www.premiumherald.com/2016/03/19/supreme-court-justice-brazil-blocks-appointment-ex-president/er|title=Supreme Court Justice in Brazil Blocks appointment for Ex-President|date=19 March 2016|work=The Premium Herald|access-date=19 March 2016|archive-date=3 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203180258/https://premiumherald.com/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/18/americas/brazil-lula-rousseff/index.html|title=Brazilian judge blocks Lula da Silva appointment|website=CNN|access-date=19 March 2016|archive-date=19 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319021955/http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/18/americas/brazil-lula-rousseff/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=17 March 2016|title=Brazil judge blocks Lula appointment to government|work=BBC News|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-35835795 |url-status=live |access-date=17 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317173916/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-35835795 |archive-date=17 March 2016}}{{cite web|title=Justice Gilmar Mendes suspends Lula's nomination as Chief of Staff|url=http://www.correiobraziliense.com.br/app/noticia/politica/2016/03/18/internas_polbraeco,523005/ministro-gilmar-mendes-suspende-nomeacao-de-lula-para-casa-civil.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320163038/http://www.correiobraziliense.com.br/app/noticia/politica/2016/03/18/internas_polbraeco,523005/ministro-gilmar-mendes-suspende-nomeacao-de-lula-para-casa-civil.shtml |archive-date=20 March 2016 |access-date=18 March 2016|work=Correio Braziliense|date=18 March 0321 |language=pt}}

On 28 July 2016, Lula filed a petition with the United Nations Human Rights Committee, a panel of experts, requesting that it provide a view on his accusation that Moro had violated his rights.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-corruption-un/brazils-lula-tells-u-n-his-rights-violated-in-corruption-probe-idUSKCN1082OC "Brazil's Lula tells U.N. his rights violated in corruption probe,"] Reuters. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407115945/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-corruption-un/brazils-lula-tells-u-n-his-rights-violated-in-corruption-probe-idUSKCN1082OC |date=7 April 2018 }} published on 28 July 2016 The Committee ultimately accepted the case.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/14/lula-like-all-brazilians-faced-a-fair-trial|title=Lula, like all Brazilians, faced a fair trial |date=14 April 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=14 June 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=7 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607010648/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/14/lula-like-all-brazilians-faced-a-fair-trial|url-status=live}}

On 14 September 2016, prosecutors filed corruption charges against Lula, accusing him of being the mastermind or 'maximum commander of the scheme'.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/15/world/americas/brazil-lula-corruption-charges.html|title='Lula,' Brazil's Ex-President, Is Charged With Corruption|work=The New York Times|date=14 September 2016|first=Simon|last=Romero|access-date=15 September 2016|archive-date=15 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915015806/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/15/world/americas/brazil-lula-corruption-charges.html|url-status=live}} On 19 September 2016, 13th Circuit (Paraná) federal judge Sergio Moro, who was leading the corruption probe, accepted an indictment for money laundering against Lula and his wife Marisa Letícia Lula da Silva. On 11 May 2017, Lula answered a summons by appearing in Curitiba and was questioned by Moro. The closed-court hearing lasted five hours. Thousands of Lula supporters went to Curitiba, together with Dilma Rousseff. After the hearing, Lula and Rousseff gave speeches to his supporters; Lula attacked what he called bias in the Brazilian media.{{cite web|last1=Phillips|first1=Dom|title=Brazil's ex-president Lula decries persecution as he faces corruption charges in court|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/10/brazil-lula-president-court-corruption-charges|work=The Guardian|date=11 May 2017|access-date=12 May 2017|archive-date=11 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511232406/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/10/brazil-lula-president-court-corruption-charges|url-status=live}}

Lula was found guilty by the lower court of accepting {{BRL|3.7 million}} in bribes (${{To USD round|3700000|BRA|2017}} US) in the form of improvements to his beachfront house, made by construction company {{Interlanguage link|Grupo Metha|pt}}, which in turn received lucrative contracts from the state-owned oil company Petrobras.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/12/world/americas/brazil-lula-da-silva-corruption.html|title=Ex-President of Brazil Sentenced to Nearly 10 Years in Prison for Corruption|author=Londoño, Ernesto|date=12 July 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=10 July 2017|archive-date=12 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712235559/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/12/world/americas/brazil-lula-da-silva-corruption.html|url-status=live}} Lula also faced other charges, including money laundering, influence peddling and obstruction of justice.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-10841416|title=Profile: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva|date=12 July 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=14 July 2017|language=en-GB|archive-date=13 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713143249/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-10841416|url-status=live}} On 12 July 2017, Sergio Moro sentenced Lula to nine and a half years in prison.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/12/brazil-president-lula-convicted-corruption|title=Brazil's ex-president Lula sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison for corruption|last=Phillips|first=Dom|date=12 July 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=14 July 2017|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=14 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714001157/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/12/brazil-president-lula-convicted-corruption|url-status=live}} Lula remained free pending his appeal.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-corruption-lula-idUSKBN19X2FO|title=Former Brazilian President Lula found guilty of corruption|date=12 July 2017|work=Reuters|access-date=10 July 2017|archive-date=12 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712190646/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-corruption-lula-idUSKBN19X2FO|url-status=live}} Lula's lawyer accused the judge of bias and the judge replied that nobody, not even the former president, should be above the rule of law.

On 25 January 2018, the Appeal Court of Porto Alegre found Lula guilty of corruption and money laundering and increased his sentence to 12 years of prison{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-42810464|title=Brazil ex-President Lula loses appeal|date=2018|work=BBC News|access-date=3 September 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=1 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701102633/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-42810464|url-status=live}} for one of the nine charges, while the other eight were still pending. On 26 March 2018, that same court upheld its own sentence, thus ending the case in that court.{{Cite news|url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/trf-4-nega-recurso-da-defesa-de-lula-sobre-condenacao-em-segunda-instancia-no-processo-do-triplex.ghtml|title=TRF-4 nega recurso da defesa de Lula sobre condenação em segunda instância no processo do triplex|date=26 March 2018|work=G1|access-date=20 January 2021|language=pt|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109040327/https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/trf-4-nega-recurso-da-defesa-de-lula-sobre-condenacao-em-segunda-instancia-no-processo-do-triplex.ghtml|url-status=live}}

On 5 April 2018, Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF) voted 6–5 to deny Lula's habeas corpus petition."[http://www.estadao.com.br/ao-vivo/supremo-condenacao-segunda-instancia "STF rejeita habeas corpus de Lula por 6 votos a 5"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405042237/http://www.estadao.com.br/ao-vivo/supremo-condenacao-segunda-instancia |date=5 April 2018 }}," Estadão Ao Vivo, 5 April 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2018. The court ruled that Lula must begin serving his sentence relating to his 12 July 2017 graft conviction for taking bribes from an engineering firm in return for help land contracts with state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA, despite him not having exhausted all of his appeals, but rather only one appeal, at which the appellate court had unanimously upheld his sentence.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/05/americas/brazil-lula-ruling-corruption-election-intl/index.html|title=Judge orders arrest of ex-Brazil president Lula da Silva|first1=Daniel|last1=Silva|first2=Bard|last2=Wilkinson|date=5 April 2018|website=CNN|access-date=23 February 2024|archive-date=23 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223111810/https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/05/americas/brazil-lula-ruling-corruption-election-intl/index.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/brazil/2018/04/1963562-in-vote-of-6-to-5-federal-supreme-court-denies-lula-habeas-corpus.shtml|title=Internacional – En – Brazil – In Vote of 6 to 5, Federal Supreme Court Denies Lula Habeas Corpus|date=April 5, 2018|website=Folha de S.Paulo|access-date=23 February 2024|archive-date=23 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223111811/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/brazil/2018/04/1963562-in-vote-of-6-to-5-federal-supreme-court-denies-lula-habeas-corpus.shtml|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-brazil-politics-lula/brazil-judge-orders-ex-president-lula-jailed-by-friday-idUKKCN1HC2I3/|author=Anthony Boadie|title=Brazil judge orders ex-president Lula jailed by Friday|publisher= Reuters}} Brazilian financial markets rallied, as the decision increased the chances a market-friendly candidate winning the election. Lula and his party vowed to continue his campaign from prison following the court's decision that he must surrender himself by 6 April."[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/lula-verdict-plunges-brazil-into-political-chaos-ahead-of-presidential-election/2018/04/05/a215bb1a-386e-11e8-af3c-2123715f78df_story.html "Lula ordered to jail, plunging Brazil into political chaos ahead of presidential election,"] The Washington Post. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405220936/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/lula-verdict-plunges-brazil-into-political-chaos-ahead-of-presidential-election/2018/04/05/a215bb1a-386e-11e8-af3c-2123715f78df_story.html |date=5 April 2018 }}," 5 April 2018, Retrieved 5 April 2018. The head of Brazil's army, General Eduardo Villas Boas, called for Lula to be placed behind bars.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-lula/brazil-army-commander-repudiates-impunity-on-eve-of-lula-ruling-idUSKCN1HB09J "Brazil army commander 'repudiates impunity' on eve of Lula ruling,"] Reuters. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419053536/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-lula/brazil-army-commander-repudiates-impunity-on-eve-of-lula-ruling-idUSKCN1HB09J |date=19 April 2018 }} by Brad Brooks, published on 3 April 2018 Following Judge Moro's issuance of an arrest warrant for Lula on 6 April 2018, Lula appealed to the UN Human Rights Committee to – in addition to his primary case – take emergency action by asking the government of Brazil to prevent his arrest until he had exhausted all appeals, arguing that the Brazilian Supreme Court had narrowly adopted its ruling with only six votes against five, which "shows the need for an independent court"; the Committee ultimately denied Lula's request.{{Cite web|url=https://theglobepost.com/2019/02/06/lula-imprisoned-brazil/|title=Former Brazil President Lula Given Nearly 13 years in New Conviction|date=6 February 2019|website=The Globe Post|language=en-US|access-date=14 June 2019|archive-date=21 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421162013/https://theglobepost.com/2019/02/06/lula-imprisoned-brazil/|url-status=live}}[http://www.gulf-times.com/story/588026/Lula-appeals-to-UN-and-court-in-bid-to-avoid-jail "Lula appeals to UN and court in bid to avoid jail,"] Gulf Times. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409184415/http://www.gulf-times.com/story/588026/Lula-appeals-to-UN-and-court-in-bid-to-avoid-jail |date=9 April 2018 }} published on 7 April 2018 In June 2018, the Committee denied Lula's request.{{Cite news|url=http://en.mercopress.com/2018/05/24/un-denies-lula-s-request-for-emergency-action-against-his-imprisonment|title=UN denies Lula's request for emergency action against his imprisonment|work=MercoPress|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620180613/http://en.mercopress.com/2018/05/24/un-denies-lula-s-request-for-emergency-action-against-his-imprisonment|url-status=live}}

Lula failed to turn himself in at the scheduled time,"[https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/04/07/600499624/lula-da-silva-brazils-beloved-ex-president-continues-resisting-order-to-surrende "Lula Da Silva, Brazil's Beloved Ex-President, Says He Will Surrender After Standoff"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407180724/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/04/07/600499624/lula-da-silva-brazils-beloved-ex-president-continues-resisting-order-to-surrende |date=7 April 2018 }}," NPR, 7 April 2018, Retrieved 7 April 2018. but he did so on the following day on 7 April 2018."[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-43686174 "Lula: Former Brazilian president surrenders to police"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616160604/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-43686174 |date=16 June 2018 }}," BBC, 7 April 2018, Retrieved 7 April 2018. After Lula was imprisoned, protesters took to the streets in cities across Brazil.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-lula/brazils-lula-spends-first-night-in-jail-amid-fight-for-freedom-idUSKBN1HF0SL "Brazil's Lula spends first night in jail amid fight for freedom"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419053414/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-lula/brazils-lula-spends-first-night-in-jail-amid-fight-for-freedom-idUSKBN1HF0SL |date=19 April 2018 }} by Reuters staff. Published on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018 Lula's imprisonment led to the formation of the Free Lula Movement.

On 28 May 2018, the UN Human Rights Committee initiated an investigation into Lula's case.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/31/world/americas/lula-president-brazil.html|title=Brazilian Court Rules That 'Lula' Cannot Run for President|last1=Darlington|first1=Shasta|date=31 August 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=14 June 2019|last2=Andreoni|first2=Manuela|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=12 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612020210/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/31/world/americas/lula-president-brazil.html|url-status=live}} In August, the Committee "requested Brazil to take all necessary measures to ensure that Lula can enjoy and exercise his political rights while in prison, as candidate in the 2018 presidential elections"; Brazil's foreign ministry noted that the recommendation had no legal significance.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-17/brazil-slaps-down-un-human-rights-committee-request-on-lula|title=Brazil Slaps Down UN Human Rights Committee Request on Lula|website=Bloomberg|date=17 August 2018|access-date=24 August 2018|archive-date=25 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825073810/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-17/brazil-slaps-down-un-human-rights-committee-request-on-lula|url-status=live}}{{cite news|author=Brad Brooks|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-election-lula/brazils-lula-should-have-political-rights-u-n-human-rights-committee-idUSKBN1L21L1|title=Brazil's Lula should have political rights: U.N. Human Rights Committee|newspaper=Reuters|date=17 August 2018 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20180817193826/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-election-lula/brazils-lula-should-have-political-rights-u-n-human-rights-committee-idUSKBN1L21L1 | archive-date = 17 August 2018 | url-status = live | access-date = 24 August 2018}}

On 8 July 2018, on-call weekend duty federal judge for the 4th region Rogério Favreto ordered Lula's release.{{Cite web|url=https://www.postcourier.com.pg/judge-overrules-order-brazil-ex-presidents-freed/|title=Judge overrules order for Brazil ex-president's to be freed|date=9 July 2018|access-date=23 February 2024|archive-date=23 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223112352/https://www.postcourier.com.pg/judge-overrules-order-brazil-ex-presidents-freed/|url-status=live}} Moro said that Favreto did not have the authority to release Lula, and Favreto's ruling was overturned the same day by the Judge Pedro Gebran Neto, president of the 4th regional court.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/08/brazil-judge-orders-lula-remain-prison-overturning-earlier-ruling/|title=Brazil judge orders Lula to remain in prison overturning earlier ruling to release former president|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=8 July 2018|work=The Telegraph|access-date=9 July 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=8 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708232312/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/08/brazil-judge-orders-lula-remain-prison-overturning-earlier-ruling/|url-status=live}}

On 2 August 2018, Pope Francis received three former allies of Lula in Rome: Celso Amorim, Alberto Fernández and Carlos Ominami.{{in lang|it}} [https://www.lastampa.it/vatican-insider-it/2018/08/03/news/il-papa-riceve-il-libro-dell-ex-presidente-brasiliano-lula-e-firma-una-breve-dedica-prega-per-me-1.34036354 Il Papa riceve il libro dell'ex presidente brasiliano Lula e firma una breve dedica: "Prega per me"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109054434/https://www.lastampa.it/vatican-insider-it/2018/08/03/news/il-papa-riceve-il-libro-dell-ex-presidente-brasiliano-lula-e-firma-una-breve-dedica-prega-per-me-1.34036354 |date=9 November 2019 }}, La Stampa, 3 August 2018. Later, the pope addressed a handwritten note to Lula (posted on his Twitter account) with the following text: "To Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva with my blessing, asking him to pray for me, Francisco".{{cite news|url=https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/pope-sends-handwritten-note-lula|title=Pope sends message of support to jailed Lula|date=4 August 2018|journal=Morning Star | archive-url = https://archive.today/20180805201344/https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/pope-sends-handwritten-note-lula | archive-date = 5 August 2018 | url-status = live | access-date = 2 May 2019}}

On 9 June 2019, The Intercept published leaked Telegram messages between the judge in Lula's case, Sergio Moro, and the Operation Car Wash lead prosecutor, Deltan Dallagnol, in which they allegedly conspired to convict Lula to prevent his candidacy for the 2018 presidential election.{{Cite web|url=http://www.infomoney.com.br/minhas-financas/gadgets/noticia/8377542|title=Como hackers conseguiram acessar o celular de Sérgio Moro|last=Sutto|first=Giovanna|website=infomoney.com.br|language=pt|access-date=27 August 2019}}{{cite web|title=Hidden Plot: Exclusive: Brazil's Top Prosecutors Who Indicted Lula Schemed in Secret Messages to Prevent His Party From Winning 2018 Election|url=https://theintercept.com/2019/06/09/brazil-car-wash-prosecutors-workers-party-lula/|work=The Intercept|date=9 June 2019|access-date=3 July 2019|language=en-US|first1=Glenn|last1=Greenwald|first2=Victor|last2=Pougy|archive-date=16 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616015427/https://theintercept.com/2019/06/09/brazil-car-wash-prosecutors-workers-party-lula/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Brazil's Anti-Corruption Superstar Faces A Scandal Of His Own|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sergio-moro-lula-brazil-operation-car-wash_n_5d14f870e4b082e55365fe72|work=HuffPost|date=1 July 2019|access-date=3 July 2019|language=en|first=Travis|last=Waldron|archive-date=3 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703020348/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sergio-moro-lula-brazil-operation-car-wash_n_5d14f870e4b082e55365fe72|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Opinion: Brazil's anti-corruption drive has been exposed as corrupt and it could bring down Bolsonaro|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/brazil-sergio-moro-corruption-lato-javo-bolsonaro-the-intercept-glenn-greenwald-a8982486.html|work=The Independent|first=Benjamin|last=Fogel|date=1 July 2019|access-date=3 July 2019|language=en|archive-date=2 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702152258/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/brazil-sergio-moro-corruption-lato-javo-bolsonaro-the-intercept-glenn-greenwald-a8982486.html|url-status=live}}{{cite journal|last1=Londoño|first1=Ernesto|last2=Casado|first2=Letícia|date=10 June 2019|title=Leaked Messages Raise Fairness Questions in Brazil Corruption Inquiry|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/10/world/americas/brazil-car-wash-lava-jato.html|journal=The New York Times|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|access-date=3 July 2019|archive-date=30 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630024800/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/10/world/americas/brazil-car-wash-lava-jato.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.20minutes.fr/monde/2536843-20190610-bresil-enqueteurs-anticorruption-conspire-empecher-retour-pouvoir-lula|title=Brésil: Les enquêteurs anticorruption auraient conspiré pour empêcher le retour au pouvoir de Lula|date=10 June 2019|publisher=20 Minutes|language=fr|access-date=10 June 2019|archive-date=10 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610075521/https://www.20minutes.fr/monde/2536843-20190610-bresil-enqueteurs-anticorruption-conspire-empecher-retour-pouvoir-lula|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://theintercept.com/2019/06/09/brazil-lula-operation-car-wash-sergio-moro/|title=Breach of Ethics: Exclusive: Leaked Chats Between Brazilian Judge and Prosecutor Who Imprisoned Lula Reveal Prohibited Collaboration and Doubts Over Evidence|last1=Fishman|first1=Andrew|last2=Martins|first2=Rafael Moro|date=9 June 2019|website=The Intercept|language=en-US|access-date=10 June 2019|last3=Demori|first3=Leandro|last4=Santi|first4=Alexandre de|last5=Greenwald|first5=Glenn|archive-date=16 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616025313/https://theintercept.com/2019/06/09/brazil-lula-operation-car-wash-sergio-moro/|url-status=live}} Moro was accused of lacking impartiality in Lula's trial.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/25/world/americas/bolsonaro-brazil-phone-hack-corruption.html|title=Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil President, Says His Phones Were Hacked|author=Londoño, Ernesto|date=25 July 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=1 August 2019|archive-date=1 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801200037/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/25/world/americas/bolsonaro-brazil-phone-hack-corruption.html|url-status=live}} Following the disclosures, the resumption of legal proceedings was determined by the Supreme Court.{{cite news|url=https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2019-06/brasilien-ex-praesident-lula-da-silva-justiz-manipulation|title=Mitschnitte stellen Urteil gegen Ex-Präsident Lula infrage|date=11 June 2019|newspaper=Die Zeit|access-date=12 June 2019|language=de|archive-date=11 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611191038/https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2019-06/brasilien-ex-praesident-lula-da-silva-justiz-manipulation|url-status=live}} Moro denied any wrongdoing or judicial misconduct during the course of Operation Car Wash and his investigation of Lula, claiming that the conversations leaked by The Intercept were misrepresented by the press and that conversations between prosecutors and judges are normal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.correiobraziliense.com.br/app/noticia/politica/2019/06/10/interna_politica,761721/nao-tem-orientacao-nenhuma-ali-diz-moro-antes-de-abandonar-coletiva.shtml|title=Moro nega ter orientado procuradores da Lava-Jato e abandona entrevista|date=10 June 2019|website=Correio Braziliense|language=pt|access-date=16 October 2019|archive-date=1 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701141526/https://www.correiobraziliense.com.br/app/noticia/politica/2019/06/10/interna_politica,761721/nao-tem-orientacao-nenhuma-ali-diz-moro-antes-de-abandonar-coletiva.shtml|url-status=live}} Moro became Minister of Justice and Public Security after the election of president Jair Bolsonaro.

The information published by The Intercept prompted reactions both in Brazil and overseas. A group of 17 lawyers, ministers of Justice, and high court members from eight countries reacted to the leaks by describing former president Lula as a political prisoner and calling for his release.{{cite news|url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2019/08/juristas-estrangeiros-se-dizem-chocados-e-defendem-libertacao-de-lula.shtml|title=Juristas estrangeiros se dizem chocados e defendem libertação de Lula|date=11 August 2019|website=Folha de São Paulo|access-date=4 September 2019|archive-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902184917/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2019/08/juristas-estrangeiros-se-dizem-chocados-e-defendem-libertacao-de-lula.shtml|url-status=live}} United States Senator Bernie Sanders said Lula should be released and his conviction annulled. American Congressman Ro Khanna asked the Trump administration to investigate Lula's case, saying that "Moro was a bad actor and part of a larger conspiracy to send Lula to jail".{{cite web|url=https://theintercept.com/2019/06/11/brazil-lula-ro-khanna-operation-car-wash/|title=BERNIE SANDERS CALLS FOR BRAZIL'S JUDICIARY TO RELEASE LULA IN WAKE OF CORRUPTION EXPOSURE|last1=Chavez|first1=Aida|last2=Lacy|first2=Akela|date=12 June 2019|website=The Intercept|access-date=13 June 2019|archive-date=12 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612224433/https://theintercept.com/2019/06/11/brazil-lula-ro-khanna-operation-car-wash/|url-status=live}} A number of international intellectuals, activists and political leaders, including professor Noam Chomsky and 12 US Congressmen, complained that the legal proceedings appeared to be designed to prevent Lula from running for president in 2018.[http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2018/01/1951916-deputados-americanos-divulgam-carta-de-apoio-a-lula.shtml "Deputados americanos divulgam carta de apoio a Lula,"] Folha de S. Paulo. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407054058/http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2018/01/1951916-deputados-americanos-divulgam-carta-de-apoio-a-lula.shtml |date=7 April 2018 }} by Patricia C. Mello, published on 18 January 2018[http://www.brasilwire.com/un-lawyer-geoffrey-robertson-to-monitor-lulas-appeal-hearing/ "UN Lawyer Geoffrey Robertson to monitor Lula's appeal hearing Brazilian justice system scrutinized by international legal community,"] Brasilwire. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407053759/http://www.brasilwire.com/un-lawyer-geoffrey-robertson-to-monitor-lulas-appeal-hearing/ |date=7 April 2018 }} published by "BrasilWire" on 23 January 2018.{{Better source needed|date=June 2020}} American talk show host Michael Brooks, a vocal advocate for Lula, opined that Lula's imprisonment and Moro's alleged political motives had rendered the results of the 2018 election "fundamentally illegitimate".{{cite web|title=500 Days in Prison For Political Prisoner Lula Da Silva As The Amazon Burns #LulaLivre (TMBS 103)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAEnH2iyXQY|website=YouTube| date=25 August 2019 |publisher=The Michael Brooks Show |access-date=24 July 2020 |archive-date=12 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812205224/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAEnH2iyXQY |url-status=live}}

On 8 November 2019, Lula was released from prison after 580 days when the Brazilian Supreme Court ended mandatory imprisonment of convicted criminals after their first appeal failed.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-05/brazil-s-former-president-lula-ordered-arrested-by-judge-moro|title=Brazilian Judge Orders Arrest of Former President Lula|publisher=Bloomberg|first1=Mario|last1=Sergio Lima|first2=Samy|last2=Adghirni|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date=5 April 2018|access-date=6 April 2018|archive-date=9 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009111455/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-05/brazil-s-former-president-lula-ordered-arrested-by-judge-moro|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/lula-verdict-plunges-brazil-into-political-chaos-ahead-of-presidential-election/2018/04/05/a215bb1a-386e-11e8-af3c-2123715f78df_story.html|title=Lula verdict plunges Brazil into political chaos ahead of presidential election|last=Lopes|first=Marina|date=5 April 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=5 April 2018|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405220936/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/lula-verdict-plunges-brazil-into-political-chaos-ahead-of-presidential-election/2018/04/05/a215bb1a-386e-11e8-af3c-2123715f78df_story.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=8 November 2019|title=Brazil's former president Lula walks free from prison after supreme court ruling|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/08/lula-brazil-released-prison-supreme-court-ruling|access-date=18 March 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=15 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315080314/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/08/lula-brazil-released-prison-supreme-court-ruling|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=8 November 2019 |title=Brazil's former President Lula released from prison |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/08/americas/brazil-lula-da-silva-released-prison-intl/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108225831/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/08/americas/brazil-lula-da-silva-released-prison-intl/index.html |archive-date=8 November 2019 |access-date=9 November 2019 |website=CNN}}{{Cite web |title=Lula deixa a cadeia após 580 dias preso em Curitiba |url=https://veja.abril.com.br/politica/lula-deixa-a-cadeia-apos-580-dias-preso-em-curitiba/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108210218/https://veja.abril.com.br/politica/lula-deixa-a-cadeia-apos-580-dias-preso-em-curitiba/ |archive-date=8 November 2019 |access-date=8 November 2019}}{{Cite web |title=Justiça autoriza que Lula seja libertado e deixe a PF em Curitiba |url=https://noticias.uol.com.br/politica/ultimas-noticias/2019/11/08/justica-autoriza-que-lula-seja-libertado-e-deixe-a-pf-em-curitiba.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108210214/https://noticias.uol.com.br/politica/ultimas-noticias/2019/11/08/justica-autoriza-que-lula-seja-libertado-e-deixe-a-pf-em-curitiba.htm |archive-date=8 November 2019 |access-date=8 November 2019 |work=UOL}} His release allowed him to remain out of prison until all of his appeals of his corruption and money laundering convictions were exhausted.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theamericanconservative.com/the-new-brazil-embraces-the-post-american-order/|title=The New Brazil Embraces the Post-American Order|first1=The American|last1=Conservative|first2=Felipe|last2=Miguel|date=25 April 2023|website=The American Conservative|access-date=27 February 2024|archive-date=27 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227011546/https://www.theamericanconservative.com/the-new-brazil-embraces-the-post-american-order/|url-status=live}}

On 27 November, the {{ill|Federal Regional Tribunal of Region 4|pt|Tribunal Regional Federal da 4.ª Região|vertical-align=sup}} in Porto Alegre increased Lula's sentence to 17 years.{{Cite web |date=27 November 2019 |title=Relator no TRF4 condena Lula a 17 anos de prisão em caso do sítio |url=http://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/justica/noticia/2019-11/relator-no-trf4-condena-lula-17-anos-de-prisao-em-caso-do-sitio |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528184821/https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/justica/noticia/2019-11/relator-no-trf4-condena-lula-17-anos-de-prisao-em-caso-do-sitio |archive-date=28 May 2021 |access-date=19 January 2020 |website=Agência Brasil |language=pt}}

On 8 March 2021, Judge Edson Fachin of the Supreme Federal Court annulled all convictions against Lula, ruling that the court in Curitiba, in Paraná state, which convicted him lacked jurisdiction to do so because the crimes he was accused of did not take place in that state, as at the time Lula resided in the capital, Brasilia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-56326389|title=Lula: Brazil ex-president's corruption convictions annulled|date=8 March 2021|work=BBC|access-date=23 February 2024|archive-date=27 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327174921/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-56326389|url-status=live}} Justice Fachin said the cases against him should therefore be retried by a court in that city.{{Cite web |last1=Brito |first1=Ricardo |last2=de Castro |first2=José |last3=Stargardter |first3=Gabriel |last4=McGeever |first4=Jamie |last5=Eisenhammer |first5=Stephen |date=8 March 2021 |title=Brazil judge annuls Lula's convictions, opens door to 2022 run |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-lula-idUSKBN2B02F0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714190526/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-lula-idUSKBN2B02F0 |archive-date=14 July 2021 |access-date=14 July 2021 |work=Reuters |language=en-US}} The judge did not rule as to whether Lula was guilty or not of the corruption charges. On 15 April, a full Supreme Court upheld the ruling in an 8–3 decision.{{Cite web |date=16 April 2021 |title=Brazil high court confirms annulment of Lula graft convictions |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210415-brazil-high-court-confirms-annulment-of-lula-graft-convictions-1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714185851/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210415-brazil-high-court-confirms-annulment-of-lula-graft-convictions-1 |archive-date=14 July 2021 |access-date=14 July 2021 |work=Agence France-Presse |publisher=France24 |language=en}}

On 23 March 2021, the Supreme Federal Court ruled by a 3–2 decision that Moro, who had overseen Lula's trial in a case, was biased against him.{{Cite news |date=24 March 2021 |title=Lula judge was biased, Brazil supreme court rules, paving way to challenge Bolsonaro |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/24/lula-judge-was-biased-brazil-supreme-court-rules-paving-way-to-challenge-bolsonaro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714185340/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/24/lula-judge-was-biased-brazil-supreme-court-rules-paving-way-to-challenge-bolsonaro |archive-date=14 July 2021 |access-date=14 July 2021 |work=The Guardian |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press}} On 23 June it upheld the ruling in a 7–4 decision.{{Cite news |last=Brito |first=Ricardo |date=24 June 2021 |title=Brazil Supreme Court confirms ruling that judge was biased against Lula |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazil-supreme-court-confirms-ruling-that-judge-was-biased-against-lula-2021-06-23/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714190347/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazil-supreme-court-confirms-ruling-that-judge-was-biased-against-lula-2021-06-23/ |archive-date=14 July 2021 |access-date=14 July 2021 |work=Reuters |language=en-US}} On 24 June, Judge Gilmar Mendes of the Supreme Federal Court annulled the two other cases Moro had brought against Lula, reasoning that there was a link between them and the case in which Moro was declared biased. This meant that all evidence Moro had collected against Lula was inadmissible in court, and that fresh trials would be needed.{{Cite news|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210625-brazil-judge-annuls-all-of-moro-s-cases-against-ex-president-lula|title=Brazil judge annuls all of Moro's cases against ex-president Lula|work=France 24|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=24 June 2021|access-date=15 July 2021|language=en-US|archive-date=15 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715163021/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210625-brazil-judge-annuls-all-of-moro-s-cases-against-ex-president-lula|url-status=live}}

On 29 October 2011, it was announced that Lula, a former smoker, had a malignant tumor in his larynx,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-17541649|title=Brazil ex-President Lula's cancer treatment 'a success'|work=BBC News|date=28 March 2012|access-date=26 February 2024|archive-date=26 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226065944/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-17541649|url-status=live}} which was detected after his voice became unusually hoarse.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/world/americas/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-of-brazil-has-throat-cancer.html|title=Former Leader of Brazil Is Said to Have Throat Cancer|first=Simon|last=Romero|work=The New York Times |date=29 October 2011}} He had chemotherapy to treat the tumor,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15766843|title=Brazil's Lula da Silva shaves beard in cancer battle|work=BBC News|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=16 November 2011 |access-date = 21 June 2018 |archive-date = 10 April 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180410073609/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15766843 |url-status = live}} and was later treated with radiation therapy; his laryngeal cancer went into remission. Lula announced his recovery in March 2012.{{cite web|url=http://en.mercopress.com/2012/03/29/lula-da-silva-announces-his-back-in-politics-after-defeating-cancer|title=Lula da Silva announces his back in politics after defeating cancer|date=29 March 2012|publisher=MercoPress|access-date= 29 March 2012|archive-date= 31 March 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120331004822/http://en.mercopress.com/2012/03/29/lula-da-silva-announces-his-back-in-politics-after-defeating-cancer|url-status= live}}

On 21 January 2021, Lula tested positive for COVID-19 while participating in the filming of an Oliver Stone documentary in Cuba, five days after arriving on the island. He recovered without needing to be admitted to hospital.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-lula-cuba-idUSKBN29Q2VP|title=Brazil's Lula had COVID-19 while in Cuba for Oliver Stone film|date=21 January 2021|website=Reuters|language=en|access-date=27 January 2021|archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125113903/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-lula-cuba-idUSKBN29Q2VP|url-status=live}} On 13 March 2021, Lula received his first dose of the CoronaVac vaccine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210313-brazil-s-lula-receives-first-dose-of-coronavirus-vaccine|title=Brazil's Lula receives first dose of coronavirus vaccine|date=13 March 2021|access-date=15 March 2021|archive-date=14 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314185056/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210313-brazil-s-lula-receives-first-dose-of-coronavirus-vaccine|url-status=live}}

In October 2023, Lula had hip joint replacement surgery for a hip prosthesis, replacing the top of his right femur with an implant to treat his arthrosis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/brazil-s-lula-leaves-hospital-after-hip-eyelid-surgery-1.1978859|title=Brazil's Lula Leaves Hospital After Hip, Eyelid Surgery|publisher=Bloomberg|date=1 October 2023|website=BNN|access-date=3 March 2024|archive-date=3 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303205728/https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/brazil-s-lula-leaves-hospital-after-hip-eyelid-surgery-1.1978859|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://ground.news/article/lula-successfully-underwent-hip-prosthesis-implant-surgery_2127b3|title=Lula successfully underwent hip prosthesis implant surgery|website=Ground News|access-date=3 March 2024|archive-date=3 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303205730/https://ground.news/article/lula-successfully-underwent-hip-prosthesis-implant-surgery_2127b3|url-status=live}}

{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/lula-president-brazil-hip-surgery-b043ee70683bbb2014d0719812c4b157|title=Brazilian President Lula to undergo hip surgery, will work from home for 3 weeks|date=26 September 2023|website=AP News|access-date=3 March 2024|archive-date=3 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303205728/https://apnews.com/article/lula-president-brazil-hip-surgery-b043ee70683bbb2014d0719812c4b157|url-status=live}} He also had a blepharoplasty, a cosmetic plastic surgery to remove excess skin from both of his eyelids.{{Cite web|url=https://www.barrons.com/news/brazil-s-lula-undergoes-hip-surgery-without-complications-doctor-64dc78b9|title=Brazil's Lula Undergoes Hip Surgery 'Without Complications': Doctor|agency=AFP|website=Barron's|access-date=3 March 2024|archive-date=3 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303205728/https://www.barrons.com/news/brazil-s-lula-undergoes-hip-surgery-without-complications-doctor-64dc78b9|url-status=live}}

File:Lula em entrevista no Diretório Nacional do PT em São Paulo 1.jpg

File:Frente contra o Fascismo - Manuela, Lula e Freixo.jpg and Marcelo Freixo, 2018]]

In 2017, Lula announced he would stand as the Workers' Party candidate for president again in the 2018 election. In September, he led a caravan of supporters which travelled through the states of Brazil, starting with Minas Gerais, whose governor was Lula's political ally Fernando Pimentel.{{cite web|url=https://www.gazetadopovo.com.br/politica/republica/apos-depor-em-curitiba-lula-vai-retomar-caravana-pelo-pais-por-minas-gerais-a3434q204gg2q3kovphkv444o|title=Após depoimento, Lula retoma caravana por Minas Gerais|website=Gazeta do Povo|access-date=12 August 2018|archive-date=10 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810235510/https://www.gazetadopovo.com.br/politica/republica/apos-depor-em-curitiba-lula-vai-retomar-caravana-pelo-pais-por-minas-gerais-a3434q204gg2q3kovphkv444o|url-status=live}} While traveling through the South of Brazil, the caravan became the target of protests. In Paraná, a campaign bus was shot at, and in Rio Grande do Sul, rocks were thrown at pro-Lula militants.{{cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/pr/oeste-sudoeste/noticia/onibus-da-caravana-de-lula-sao-atingidos-por-tiros-no-oeste-do-parana-diz-assessoria.ghtml|title=Ônibus da caravana de Lula no Paraná são atingidos por tiros|website=G1|date=27 March 2018 |access-date=12 August 2018|archive-date=10 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810235551/https://g1.globo.com/pr/oeste-sudoeste/noticia/onibus-da-caravana-de-lula-sao-atingidos-por-tiros-no-oeste-do-parana-diz-assessoria.ghtml|url-status=live}}

Despite Lula's imprisonment in April 2018, the Workers' Party kept Lula as the party's presidential candidate. In a poll conducted by Ibope in June 2018, Lula led with 33% of vote intentions, with the PSL candidate Jair Bolsonaro polling second with 15%.{{cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/politica/eleicoes/2018/noticia/lula-tem-33-bolsonaro-15-marina-7-e-ciro-4-aponta-pesquisa-ibope.ghtml|title=Lula tem 33%, Bolsonaro, 15%, Marina, 7%, e Ciro, 4%, aponta pesquisa Ibope|website=G1|date=28 June 2018 |access-date=12 August 2018|archive-date=10 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810235558/https://g1.globo.com/politica/eleicoes/2018/noticia/lula-tem-33-bolsonaro-15-marina-7-e-ciro-4-aponta-pesquisa-ibope.ghtml|url-status=live}} Lula negotiated a national coalition with the PCdoB and regional alliances with the Socialist Party.{{cite news|url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2018/08/da-cadeia-lula-articulou-acoes-que-resultaram-no-isolamento-de-ciro.shtml|title=Da cadeia, Lula articulou ações que resultaram no isolamento de Ciro|date=1 August 2018|website=Folha de S.Paulo|access-date=12 August 2018|archive-date=10 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810235416/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2018/08/da-cadeia-lula-articulou-acoes-que-resultaram-no-isolamento-de-ciro.shtml|url-status=live}}

The Workers' Party officially nominated Lula as its candidate on 5 August 2018, in São Paulo. Actor Sérgio Mamberti read a letter written by Lula, who was unable to attend because of his prison sentence. Former São Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad was named as Lula's running mate and intended to represent Lula in events and debates. If Lula was declared ineligible, Haddad would replace Lula as candidate, with Manuela d'Ávila replacing Haddad as the vice-presidential candidate.{{cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/politica/eleicoes/2018/noticia/2018/08/06/fernando-haddad-sera-vice-na-chapa-de-lula-diz-pt.ghtml|title=PT anuncia Haddad como vice na chapa de Lula e acordo com o PCdoB|website=G1|date=6 August 2018 |access-date=12 August 2018|archive-date=10 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810235505/https://g1.globo.com/politica/eleicoes/2018/noticia/2018/08/06/fernando-haddad-sera-vice-na-chapa-de-lula-diz-pt.ghtml|url-status=live}}

In response to a petition from Lula, the UN Human Rights Committee on 17 August 2018 suggested to the Brazilian government that it allow Lula to exercise his political rights.{{Cite web|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=17 August 2018|title=UN: Brazil's jailed ex-president Lula can't be disqualified from election|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/17/un-brazils-jailed-leader-lula-cant-be-disqualified-from-election|access-date=16 April 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417004833/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/17/un-brazils-jailed-leader-lula-cant-be-disqualified-from-election|url-status=live}}

In a 26 August poll, Lula had 39 percent of vote intentions within one month of the first round. The same opinion polling put Lula ahead of all his challengers in a second round run-off, including the nearest one, PSL candidate Jair Bolsonaro, by 52 to 32.{{Cite news|url=https://g1.globo.com/politica/eleicoes/2018/eleicao-em-numeros/noticia/2018/08/22/pesquisa-datafolha-lula-39-bolsonaro-19-marina-8-alckmin-6-ciro-5.ghtml|title=Pesquisa Datafolha: Lula, 39%; Bolsonaro, 19%; Marina, 8%; Alckmin, 6%; Ciro, 5%|date=22 August 2018|work=G1|access-date=26 August 2018|language=pt|archive-date=23 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823143645/https://g1.globo.com/politica/eleicoes/2018/eleicao-em-numeros/noticia/2018/08/22/pesquisa-datafolha-lula-39-bolsonaro-19-marina-8-alckmin-6-ciro-5.ghtml|url-status=live}}

Lula's candidacy was denied by the Superior Electoral Court on 31 August 2018 by a majority vote of the seven-judge panel.{{cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/brazil-electoral-court-bars-lula-presidential-race-022628991--business.html|title=Brazil electoral court bars Lula from presidential race|website=Yahoo|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901080535/https://www.yahoo.com/news/brazil-electoral-court-bars-lula-presidential-race-022628991--business.html|url-status=live}} On 11 September 2018, Lula officially withdrew and was replaced by Fernando Haddad, whom Lula endorsed.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/11/lula-brazil-presidential-election-candidate-gives-up-race|title=Jailed leftwing leader Lula drops out of Brazil presidential race|first1=Tom|last1=Phillips|first2=Dom|last2=Phillips|newspaper=The Guardian|date=11 September 2018|access-date=12 September 2018|archive-date=12 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912033408/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/11/lula-brazil-presidential-election-candidate-gives-up-race|url-status=live}}

{{Main article|Second presidency of Lula da Silva}}

{{Main|2022 Brazilian general election|Lula da Silva 2022 presidential campaign}}

File:Alberto Fernández y Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva en São Paulo 2022 (2).jpg Alberto Fernández, 2022]]

In May 2021, Lula said that he would run for a third term in the October 2022 general election, against the incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro.{{cite web|url=https://valorinveste.globo.com/mercados/brasil-e-politica/noticia/2021/05/20/lula-reitera-candidatura-presidencial-contra-bolsonaro-em-2022.ghtml|author=Cristiane Agostine|title=Lula reitera candidatura presidencial contra Bolsonaro em 2022|website=Valor|date=20 May 2021|access-date=5 August 2021|archive-date=5 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805163619/https://valorinveste.globo.com/mercados/brasil-e-politica/noticia/2021/05/20/lula-reitera-candidatura-presidencial-contra-bolsonaro-em-2022.ghtml|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/lula-is-back-but-which-lula|title=Lula Is Back. But Which Lula?|website=Americas Quarterly|date=7 July 2021|access-date=5 August 2021|archive-date=5 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805163623/https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/lula-is-back-but-which-lula/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/30/lula-2022-brazil-poised-for-sensational-political-comeback|title=Lula 2022? Brazil poised for sensational political comeback|website=The Guardian|date=30 July 2021|access-date=5 August 2021|archive-date=5 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805163617/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/30/lula-2022-brazil-poised-for-sensational-political-comeback|url-status=live|quote=With former president's political rights restored, polls suggest he would thrash Jair Bolsonaro if he stands for election}} He was 17% ahead of Bolsonaro in a poll in January 2022.{{cite web|author=Anthony Boadle|agency=Reuters|title=Brazil poll shows Lula gaining over Bolsonaro, third candidate 'embryonic'|url=https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/brazil-poll-shows-lula-gaining-over-bolsonaro-third-candidate-embryonic|publisher=Nasdaq|access-date=19 January 2022|date=18 January 2022|quote=Brazil's former leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva increased his lead to 17 percentage points over far-right President Jair Bolsonaro in a new survey of voter preferences ahead of an October election.|archive-date=13 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713085825/https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/brazil-poll-shows-lula-gaining-over-bolsonaro-third-candidate-embryonic|url-status=live}} In April 2022, Lula announced that his running mate would be Geraldo Alckmin, a three-term governor of São Paulo state who had run against Lula in the 2006 presidential elections.{{Cite web|title=Brazil's Lula taps former rival as his pick for running mate|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/brazils-lula-taps-rival-pick-running-mate-83961712 |access-date=22 April 2022|website=ABC News|language=en |archive-date=22 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422174838/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/brazils-lula-taps-rival-pick-running-mate-83961712 |url-status=live}}

On 2 October, in the first round vote, Lula was in first place with 48% of the electorate, qualifying for the second round with Bolsonaro, who received 43% of the votes. Lula was elected in the second round on 30 October with 50.89% of the vote, the smallest margin in the history of Brazil's presidential elections,{{Cite web|url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2022-10-31/lula-defeats-bolsonaro-in-the-closest-election-in-brazils-history.html|title=Lula defeats Bolsonaro in the closest election in Brazil's history|first=Naiara Galarraga|last=Gortázar|date=31 October 2022|website=EL PAÍS English|access-date=27 February 2024|archive-date=7 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907112952/https://english.elpais.com/international/2022-10-31/lula-defeats-bolsonaro-in-the-closest-election-in-brazils-history.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://spec.hamilton.edu/brazilian-democracy-is-in-danger-aca8036f9cc1|title=Brazilian democracy is in danger|date=3 November 2022|website=Medium|access-date=27 February 2024|archive-date=7 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907112954/https://spec.hamilton.edu/brazilian-democracy-is-in-danger-aca8036f9cc1?gi=2d9985d8b534|url-status=live}} three days after his 77th birthday. He became the first president of Brazil elected to three terms, the first since Getúlio Vargas to serve in non-consecutive terms, and the first to unseat an incumbent president. He was sworn in on 1 January 2023.{{Cite web|title=Análise das Eleições 2022: Veja Detalhes dos Resultados da Votação|url=https://noticias.uol.com.br/eleicoes/2022/analise/presidente-1-turno/ |access-date=31 October 2022|website=noticias.uol.com.br|language=pt |archive-date=30 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030225737/https://noticias.uol.com.br/eleicoes/2022/analise/presidente-1-turno/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Resultados – TSE|url=https://resultados.tse.jus.br/oficial/app/index.html#/eleicao/resultados |access-date=31 October 2022|website=resultados.tse.jus.br |archive-date=2 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102121453/https://resultados.tse.jus.br/oficial/app/index.html#/eleicao/resultados |url-status=dead}} At age 77, he was the oldest Brazilian president at the time of inauguration.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/jair-bolsonaro-politics-brazil-brasilia-inaugurations-c6d222207d7a5bcbb71e2b6950514a9a|title=Lula sworn in as president to lead polarized Brazil|first1=Mauricio|last1=Savavrese|first2=Carla|last2=Bridi|publisher=Associated Press|date=1 January 2022|access-date=1 January 2022|archive-date=1 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101190620/https://apnews.com/article/jair-bolsonaro-politics-brazil-brasilia-inaugurations-c6d222207d7a5bcbb71e2b6950514a9a|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Nicas|first=Jack|date=30 October 2022|title=Brazil Elects Lula, a Leftist Former Leader, in a Rebuke of Bolsonaro|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/10/30/world/brazil-presidential-election |access-date=1 November 2022|issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=30 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030225721/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/10/30/world/brazil-presidential-election |url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Boadle|first=Anthony|date=31 October 2022|title=Brazil leftist Lula wins third presidential term to redeem tarnished legacy|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazil-leftist-lula-wins-third-presidential-term-redeem-tarnished-legacy-2022-10-31/ |access-date=1 November 2022 |archive-date=2 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102070459/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazil-leftist-lula-wins-third-presidential-term-redeem-tarnished-legacy-2022-10-31/ |url-status=live}}

Lula said that his main commitments were: the reconstruction of the country in the face of the economic crisis; democracy, sovereignty and peace; economic development and stability; fighting poverty; education; implementation of a National System of Culture and the expansion of housing programmes.{{Cite web|date=15 August 2022|title=Conheça o programa de governo dos 12 candidatos à Presidência|url=http://noticias.r7.com/eleicoes-2022/conheca-o-programa-de-governo-dos-12-candidatos-a-presidencia-24082022 |access-date=31 October 2022|website=R7.com|language=pt |archive-date=31 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031002120/https://noticias.r7.com/eleicoes-2022/conheca-o-programa-de-governo-dos-12-candidatos-a-presidencia-24082022 |url-status=live}} He held the presidency of the G20 from 2023 (succeeding India) until the 2024 Brazilian G20 Summit, where after this the presidency was handed over to South Africa.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-10 |title=India hands over G20 presidency to Brazil |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-758361 |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |archive-date=7 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907113032/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-758361 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Carvalho |first=Laura |date=2024-12-03 |title=South Africa has taken over the G20 presidency from Brazil – what lessons can it learn? |url=https://theconversation.com/south-africa-has-taken-over-the-g20-presidency-from-brazil-what-lessons-can-it-learn-244190 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}}

Lula's popularity declined; in September 2023, 38% of those polled considered him to be good or excellent, while 30% considered him to be average, and 31% viewed him as bad or terrible.

File:14.04.2023 - Cerimônia de Assinatura de Atos - Grande Palácio do Povo - Pequim - China.jpg, April 2023]]

In March 2023, Lula met in China with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and signed 15 memoranda of understanding and 20 agreements on a wide range of issues.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.csis.org/analysis/great-balancing-act-lula-china-and-future-us-brazil-relations|title=The Great Balancing Act: Lula in China and the Future of U.S.-Brazil Relations|first1=Ryan C.|last1=Berg|first2=Carlos|last2=Baena|date=19 April 2023|journal=Csis|access-date=25 February 2024|archive-date=25 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225205850/https://www.csis.org/analysis/great-balancing-act-lula-china-and-future-us-brazil-relations|url-status=live}} Lula gave a speech in which he said that no one would keep Brazil from improving its relationship with China—which was taken as a reference to the United States.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/04/14/brazil-china-lula-xi-jinping/ "Lula tells Xi 'nobody can stop' Brazil-China relationship,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415095549/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/04/14/brazil-china-lula-xi-jinping/ |date=15 April 2023 }} The Washington Post.{{Cite web|url=https://www.estadao.com.br/politica/lula-fala-em-autonomia-e-diz-que-ninguem-vai-proibir-que-o-brasil-aprimore-suas-relacoes-com-china/|title=Lula fala em autonomia e diz que 'ninguém vai proibir que o Brasil aprimore suas relações' com China|website=Estadão|access-date=25 February 2024|archive-date=25 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225205851/https://www.estadao.com.br/politica/lula-fala-em-autonomia-e-diz-que-ninguem-vai-proibir-que-o-brasil-aprimore-suas-relacoes-com-china/|url-status=live}} In January 2024, Lula reaffirmed to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi his recognition of China's policy of "one China", under which China claims Taiwan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.br/planalto/en/latest-news/2024/01/brazil2019s-lula-meets-with-chinese-chancellor-in-preparatory-meeting-prior-to-visit-by-the-president-of-china|title=Brazil's Lula meets with Chinese chancellor in preparatory meeting prior to visit by the president of China|website=Planalto|access-date=25 February 2024|archive-date=25 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225205850/https://www.gov.br/planalto/en/latest-news/2024/01/brazil2019s-lula-meets-with-chinese-chancellor-in-preparatory-meeting-prior-to-visit-by-the-president-of-china|url-status=live}} Human Rights Watch, in the meantime, cautioned Lula against cozying up to China, while remaining silent about China's human rights abuses.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/12/15/brazil-president-lula-should-pursue-rights-agenda|title=Brazil: President Lula Should Pursue a Rights Agenda|work=Human Rights Watch|date=15 December 2022|access-date=25 February 2024|archive-date=25 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225205849/https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/12/15/brazil-president-lula-should-pursue-rights-agenda|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/brazils-lula-meets-cuban-leader-slams-illegal-us-embargo/a-66834870|title=Brazil's Lula meets Cuban leader, slams 'illegal' US embargo|date=September 17, 2023|website=DW|access-date=25 February 2024|archive-date=25 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225211709/https://www.dw.com/en/brazils-lula-meets-cuban-leader-slams-illegal-us-embargo/a-66834870|url-status=live}}

In September 2023, Lula called Cuba a "victim" of an "illegal" United States embargo against Cuba.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazils-president-calls-us-economic-embargo-cuba-illegal-condemns-terrorist-list-2023-09-16/|title=Brazil's president calls U.S. economic embargo on Cuba 'illegal,' condemns terrorist list label|work=Reuters |access-date=25 February 2024|archive-date=15 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015204119/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazils-president-calls-us-economic-embargo-cuba-illegal-condemns-terrorist-list-2023-09-16/|url-status=live}} He also denounced the inclusion of Cuba on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.br/planalto/en/follow-the-government/speeches/speech-by-president-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-at-the-g77-china-summit-in-cuba|title=Speech by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the G77 + China Summit in Cuba|website=Planalto|access-date=25 February 2024|archive-date=25 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225211709/https://www.gov.br/planalto/en/follow-the-government/speeches/speech-by-president-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-at-the-g77-china-summit-in-cuba|url-status=live}}

In March 2023, Lula's administration allowed two Iranian Navy warships, forward base ship IRIS Makran and frigate IRIS Dena, to dock in Rio de Janeiro.{{Cite web|url=https://voz.us/ted-cruz-calls-for-sanctions-for-lula-da-silva-and-cristina-fernandez-de-kirchner/?lang=en|title=Ted Cruz calls for sanctions on Lula da Silva and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner|date=8 September 2023|access-date=25 February 2024|archive-date=7 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907113034/https://voz.us/en/politics/230908/3612/ted-cruz-calls-for-sanctions-for-lula-da-silva-and-cristina-fernandez-de-kirchner.html?lang=en|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://themedialine.org/top-stories/brazil-allows-iranian-warships-to-dock-in-rio-despite-us-opposition/|title=Brazil Allows Iranian Warships To Dock in Rio Despite US Opposition|first=Debbie|last=Mohnblatt|date=28 February 2023|website=The Media Line|access-date=25 February 2024|archive-date=14 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414042605/https://themedialine.org/top-stories/brazil-allows-iranian-warships-to-dock-in-rio-despite-us-opposition/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2023/02/28/iranian-warships-finally-dock-in-rio-de-janeiro-after-u-s-issues-sanction-threat|title=Iranian Warships Finally Dock in Rio de Janeiro After U.S. Issues Sanction Threat – USNI News|date=28 February 2023|access-date=25 February 2024|archive-date=21 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421073116/https://news.usni.org/2023/02/28/iranian-warships-finally-dock-in-rio-de-janeiro-after-u-s-issues-sanction-threat|url-status=live}} U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Elizabeth Bagley said that in the past the warships had facilitated terrorist activities, and US Senator Ted Cruz said that "the docking of Iranian warships in Brazil is a dangerous development and a direct threat to the safety and security of Americans."

Lula endorsed admitting Iran into the BRICS organization, and in August 2023 met with Iranian president Ebrahim Raeisi.{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiohc.cu/en/noticias/internacionales/332446-lula-says-iran-is-an-important-partner-in-brics|title=Lula says Iran is an important partner in BRICS|website=radiohc.cu|access-date=25 February 2024|archive-date=25 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225215943/https://www.radiohc.cu/en/noticias/internacionales/332446-lula-says-iran-is-an-important-partner-in-brics|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2023/11/07/an-iranian-bear-in-brazils-backyard-how-iran-is-wooing-south-america.html|title=An Iranian bear in Brazil's backyard: How Iran is wooing South America|website=The Week|access-date=25 February 2024|archive-date=25 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225214440/https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2023/11/07/an-iranian-bear-in-brazils-backyard-how-iran-is-wooing-south-america.html|url-status=live}} Lula stopped short of condemning Iran's rights abuses.

In June 2023, at an Organization of American States (OAS) summit, Lula tried to soften OAS criticism of Nicaragua's government, which was accused of repression and of violations of human rights and property rights.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazils-lula-will-ask-nicaraguas-ortega-release-arrested-bishop-2023-06-22/|title=Brazil's Lula will ask Nicaragua's Ortega to release jailed bishop|work= Reuters}}{{cite web|url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-06-21/at-oas-summit-brazil-seeks-to-soften-criticism-of-nicaraguas-government.html|title=At OAS summit, Brazil seeks to soften criticism of Nicaragua's government|work=El País|first=Wilfredo|last=Miranda Aburto|date=21 June 2023|access-date=23 July 2024|archive-date=2 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302175813/https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-06-21/at-oas-summit-brazil-seeks-to-soften-criticism-of-nicaraguas-government.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web | url=https://apnews.com/article/nicaragua-brazil-church-imprisoned-bishop-81b2c3b2f53aa2203d3dea75262661e3 | title=Brazil's president offers to try to win release of bishop imprisoned in Nicaragua | website=Associated Press News | date=22 June 2023 | access-date=28 February 2024 | archive-date=28 February 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228220458/https://apnews.com/article/nicaragua-brazil-church-imprisoned-bishop-81b2c3b2f53aa2203d3dea75262661e3 | url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://confidencial.digital/english/lula-da-silvas-government-seeks-to-soften-oas-declaration-critical-of-nicaragua/|title=Lula da Silva's government seeks to soften OAS declaration critical of Nicaragua|work=Confidencial|date=21 June 2023|access-date=23 July 2024|archive-date=26 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226001406/https://confidencial.digital/english/lula-da-silvas-government-seeks-to-soften-oas-declaration-critical-of-nicaragua/|url-status=live}} Nicaragua's former ambassador to the OAS, Arturo McFields, said that the proposed softening was "shameful," and that "President Lula is lying and telling another story that never existed in Nicaragua."

In May 2023, he declined an invitation to the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, saying that he "can't visit Russia at the moment", while confirming that he had spoken to Putin.{{cite news |title=Brazil's Lula says spoke to Putin on war, declined economic forum invitation |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/brazils-lula-said-spoke-putin-war-declined-invitation-economic-forum-2023-05-26/ |work=Reuters |date=26 May 2023 |access-date=4 June 2023 |archive-date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604105700/https://www.reuters.com/world/brazils-lula-said-spoke-putin-war-declined-invitation-economic-forum-2023-05-26/ |url-status=live }} In December 2023, Lula said he would invite Vladimir Putin to the BRICS and G20 summits in Brazil. Due to Brazil being a signatory of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Putin could be placed under arrest by the Brazilian authorities if he sets foot on Brazil's territory. Lula said Putin could be arrested in Brazil, but that would be the decision of Brazil's independent courts, not his government.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/brazil-russia-lula-da-silva-vladimir-putin-g20-brics-invitation/|title=Lula invites Putin to Brazil, sidesteps on war crimes arrest|date=4 December 2023|website=POLITICO|first=Hans|last=von der Burchard|access-date=23 July 2024|archive-date=21 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221090701/https://www.politico.eu/article/brazil-russia-lula-da-silva-vladimir-putin-g20-brics-invitation/|url-status=live}} In February 2024, he was visited by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.{{cite news |title=Russian foreign minister Lavrov discussed Ukraine with Brazil's Lula, Moscow says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/feb/23/russia-ukraine-war-us-sanctions-vladimir-putin-volodymyr-zelenskiy-alexei-navalny?page=with:block-65d886188f086f23f6db1dac#block-65d886188f086f23f6db1dac |access-date=23 February 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=24 February 2024 |archive-date=7 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907113524/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/feb/23/russia-ukraine-war-us-sanctions-vladimir-putin-volodymyr-zelenskiy-alexei-navalny?page=with:block-65d886188f086f23f6db1dac#block-65d886188f086f23f6db1dac |url-status=live }}

File:02.03.2023 - Videochamada com o Presidente da Ucrânia, Volodymyr Zelensky (52721711242).jpg, 2 March 2023]]

Lula has commented often on the Russo-Ukrainian War. He condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but Ukraine called some of his comments as "Russian attempts to distort the truth".{{cite web |last1=Stargardter |first1=Gabriel |title=Lula's Ukraine comments are 'Russian attempts to distort truth,' Ukrainian official says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/lulas-ukraine-comments-are-russian-attempts-distort-truth-ukrainian-official-2022-05-05/ |website=Reuters |access-date=11 December 2023 |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211175346/https://www.reuters.com/world/lulas-ukraine-comments-are-russian-attempts-distort-truth-ukrainian-official-2022-05-05/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://time.com/6258071/brazil-lula-ukraine-war/ |title=Brazil's Lula Intensifies Diplomatic Push for Peace in Ukraine |date=24 February 2023 |access-date=8 April 2023 |archive-date=8 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408215034/https://time.com/6258071/brazil-lula-ukraine-war/ |url-status=live }}

In May 2022, Lula blamed both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying that Zelenskyy "is as responsible as Putin for the war".{{Cite web |url=https://time.com/6173232/lula-da-silva-transcript/ |title=Lula Talks to TIME About Ukraine, Bolsonaro, and Brazil's Fragile Democracy |date=4 May 2022 |access-date=11 Dec 2023 |archive-date=12 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412133010/https://time.com/6173232/lula-da-silva-transcript/ |url-status=live }} Lula also repeatedly criticized NATO and the European Union for being partially responsible for the war. He accused NATO of "claiming for itself the right to install military bases in the vicinity of another country".{{Cite news |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/02/10/biden-lula-meeting-war-in-ukraine-high-on-the-agenda_6015191_4.html |title=Biden-Lula meeting: War in Ukraine high on the agenda |website=Le Monde |date=10 February 2023 |access-date=8 April 2023 |archive-date=8 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408214417/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/02/10/biden-lula-meeting-war-in-ukraine-high-on-the-agenda_6015191_4.html |url-status=live }} In April 2023, Lula declared after a state visit to China that "the United States needs to stop encouraging war and start talking about peace". U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby responded by accusing Lula of "parroting Russian and Chinese propaganda", describing his comments as "simply misguided" and "suggesting the United States and Europe are somehow not interested in peace, or that we share responsibility for the war".{{Cite news |date=2023-04-18 |title=Ukraine war: US accuses Lula of parroting propaganda |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-65307553 |access-date=2023-06-03 |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603130052/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-65307553 |url-status=live }}

In April 2023, Lula initially condemned Russia's violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity and said Russia should withdraw from Ukrainian territory it has occupied since February 2022.{{cite news|title=Brazil's Lula condemns invasion of Ukraine, touts peace initiative|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/ukraine-invites-brazils-lula-visit-criticizes-his-peace-efforts-2023-04-18/|work=Reuters|date=19 April 2023|access-date=23 April 2023|archive-date=23 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423064615/https://www.reuters.com/world/ukraine-invites-brazils-lula-visit-criticizes-his-peace-efforts-2023-04-18/|url-status=live}} Later, however, that same month, he suggested that Ukraine should "give up Crimea" to Russia in exchange for peace and Russia's withdrawal from Ukrainian territory it occupied after February 2022, saying Zelenskyy "cannot want everything".{{Cite web |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/04/07/the-world-needs-tranquillity-ukraine-urged-to-give-up-crimea-by-brazils-lula |title='The world needs tranquillity': Ukraine urged to give up Crimea by Brazil's Lula |date=7 April 2023 |access-date=8 April 2023 |archive-date=8 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408215919/https://www.euronews.com/2023/04/07/the-world-needs-tranquillity-ukraine-urged-to-give-up-crimea-by-brazils-lula |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-04-06 |title=Lula diz que Putin não pode ficar com 'terreno' da Ucrânia e critica EUA |work=Metrópoles |url=https://www.metropoles.com/colunas/igor-gadelha/lula-diz-que-putin-nao-pode-ficar-com-terreno-da-ucrania-e-critica-eua |access-date=2023-04-18 |language=pt-BR |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407042610/https://www.metropoles.com/colunas/igor-gadelha/lula-diz-que-putin-nao-pode-ficar-com-terreno-da-ucrania-e-critica-eua |url-status=live }}

After Germany appealed to Lula to provide military aid to Ukraine by selling it arms, Lula refused.{{Cite news |date=2023-01-31 |title=Lula Brushes Off Scholz's Appeal for Brazil to Send Arms to Kyiv |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-31/lula-rejects-weapons-to-ukraine-plan-proposed-by-germany-s-scholz |access-date=2023-04-18 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201062845/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-31/lula-rejects-weapons-to-ukraine-plan-proposed-by-germany-s-scholz |url-status=live }} On 26 April, in a joint press conference, Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez questioned Lula's position, stressing that as the victimized country Ukraine needed to be supported.{{cite news |title=Choque de Lula da Silva con Pedro Sánchez por el envío de armas a Ucrania |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EERZQXdRobk |agency=YouTube |newspaper=El Mundo |date=26 April 2023 |access-date=30 April 2023 |archive-date=30 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430181320/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EERZQXdRobk |url-status=live }}{{Better source needed|date=April 2023}} Lula said that he is seeking peace in accordance with a binding foreign policy principle in the pacifist Brazilian Constitution of 1988.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oas.org/es/sla/ddi/docs/acceso_informacion_base_dc_leyes_pais_b_1_en.pdf|title=See Article 4, VI, VII|access-date=7 June 2023|archive-date=7 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907113530/https://www.oas.org/es/sla/ddi/docs/acceso_informacion_base_dc_leyes_pais_b_1_en.pdf|url-status=live}} He said that the countries of the Global South, including Brazil, India, Indonesia and China "want peace", but both Putin and Zelenskyy "are convinced that they are going to win the war" and do not want to talk about peace.{{cite news |title=Lula 'upset' after Zelenskyy's no-show to Hiroshima meeting |url=https://efe.com/en/latest-news/2023-05-22/lula-upset-after-zelenskyy-a-no-show-to-hiroshima-meeting/ |work=EFE |date=22 May 2023 |access-date=14 June 2023 |archive-date=6 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606175709/https://efe.com/en/latest-news/2023-05-22/lula-upset-after-zelenskyy-a-no-show-to-hiroshima-meeting/ |url-status=live }} He noted the human cost of the war, as well as the war's impact on food security, energy costs, and global supply chains.{{cite news|title=Brazil condemns 'violation' of Ukraine's territory amid criticism|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/19/brazil-condemns-violation-of-ukraines-territory-amid-criticism|work=Al Jazeera|date=19 April 2023|access-date=23 April 2023|archive-date=19 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419095704/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/19/brazil-condemns-violation-of-ukraines-territory-amid-criticism|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Soares |first=Ingrid |date=2023-02-10 |title=Visita de Lula a Biden tem objetivo de estreitar relação com os EUA |url=https://www.correiobraziliense.com.br/politica/2023/02/5072705-visita-de-lula-a-biden-tem-objetivo-de-estreitar-relacao-com-os-eua.html |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=Política |language=pt-BR |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418194601/https://www.correiobraziliense.com.br/politica/2023/02/5072705-visita-de-lula-a-biden-tem-objetivo-de-estreitar-relacao-com-os-eua.html |url-status=live }}

File:01.01.2023 - Cumprimentos dos chefes de Estado e de Governo (52622349175).jpg, 2023]]

In November 2023, Lula met in Riyadh with the prime minister and crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman.{{Cite web|url=https://arab.news/mrt7n|title=Saudi Arabia and Brazil detail areas of joint cooperation|date=30 November 2023|website=Arab News}}{{Cite web|url=https://menafn.com/1107523202/Lula-MBS-Want-To-Boost-Bilateral-Trade-To-USD-20-Bn|title=Lula, MBS Want To Boost Bilateral Trade To USD 20 Bn|website=menafn.com|access-date=28 February 2024|archive-date=28 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228040625/https://menafn.com/1107523202/Lula-MBS-Want-To-Boost-Bilateral-Trade-To-USD-20-Bn|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.agenzianova.com/en/news/brazil-saudi-arabia-lula-meets-bin-salman-focus-on-investments-in-renewable-energy/|title=Brazil-Saudi Arabia: Lula meets bin Salman, focus on investments in renewable energy|work=Agenzia Nova|date=28 November 2023|access-date=28 February 2024|archive-date=28 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228042130/https://www.agenzianova.com/en/news/brazil-saudi-arabia-lula-meets-bin-salman-focus-on-investments-in-renewable-energy/|url-status=live}} They discussed strengthening bilateral relations, and investments in both countries. Salman said that a more robust strategic partnership between the two countries would benefit both sides. The $10 billion that the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia pledged to invest in Brazil was one topic of conversation. Lula mentioned Brazil's rapprochement with Arab countries. Salman also discussed Saudi Arabia's entry into BRICS in January 2024. Lula invited Salman to visit Brazil in 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/en/politica/noticia/2023-11/lula-highlights-brazilian-investment-green-energy|title=Lula highlights Brazilian investment in green energy|date=29 November 2023|website=Agência Brasil|access-date=28 February 2024|archive-date=28 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228042128/https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/en/politica/noticia/2023-11/lula-highlights-brazilian-investment-green-energy|url-status=live}}

In February 2024, Saudi Ambassador to Brazil Faisal Ghulam participated in a reception held by the ambassadors of Arab and Islamic countries in honour of Lula, and on behalf of the ambassadors of the Arab and Islamic countries, Ghulam delivered a speech in which he reviewed the developing relations between the Arab and Islamic countries and Brazil.{{Cite web|url=https://arab.news/6shnm|title=Arab and Islamic ambassadors' reception honors Brazilian President Lula|date=10 February 2024|website=Arab News}}

Lula condemned the Hamas attack on Israel carried out on 7 October 2023.{{cite news |title=Lula Says He Condemned 'Terrorist Attacks' in Conversation with Israeli President |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/world/2023/10/lula-says-he-condemned-terrorist-attacks-in-conversation-with-israeli-president.shtml |work=Folha de S.Paulo |date=13 October 2023 |access-date=3 November 2023 |archive-date=3 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103105409/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/world/2023/10/lula-says-he-condemned-terrorist-attacks-in-conversation-with-israeli-president.shtml |url-status=live }} On 11 October 2023, he called for a ceasefire in the Israel–Gaza war, stating, it was "urgently needed in defence of Israeli and Palestinian children".{{cite news|title=Brazil's Lula calls for ceasefire, humanitarian intervention in Israel-Palestinian conflict|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/israel-palestinians-brazil/brazils-lula-calls-for-ceasefire-humanitarian-intervention-in-israel-palestinian-conflict-idUSKBN31B1DM|work=Reuters|date=11 October 2023|access-date=3 November 2023|archive-date=1 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101113605/https://www.reuters.com/article/israel-palestinians-brazil/brazils-lula-calls-for-ceasefire-humanitarian-intervention-in-israel-palestinian-conflict-idUSKBN31B1DM|url-status=live}} Lula urged Hamas to release kidnapped Israeli children and Israel to stop bombing the Gaza Strip and allow Palestinian children and their mothers to leave the war zone.{{cite news |title=Brazil's Lula Calls To Protect Children In Israel-Gaza War |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/brazil-s-lula-calls-to-protect-children-in-israel-gaza-war-145c5775 |work=Barron's |date=11 October 2023 |access-date=3 November 2023 |archive-date=3 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103105409/https://www.barrons.com/news/brazil-s-lula-calls-to-protect-children-in-israel-gaza-war-145c5775 |url-status=live }} On 25 October 2023, Lula stated, "It's not a war, it's a genocide".{{cite web |last1=Verdélio |first1=Andreia |title=President Lula says war in the Middle East is genocide |url=https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/en/politica/noticia/2023-10/president-lula-says-war-middle-east-genocide |date=25 October 2023 |website=Agência Brasil |access-date=3 November 2023 |archive-date=7 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107051920/https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/en/politica/noticia/2023-10/president-lula-says-war-middle-east-genocide |url-status=live }} On 18 February 2024, he drew comparisons to the Nazi Holocaust.{{cite news |author= |date=18 February 2024 |title=Brazil's Lula compares Israel's war on Gaza with the Holocaust|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/18/brazils-lula-compares-israels-war-on-gaza-with-the-holocaust|work=Al Jazeera|location= |access-date=24 February 2024}} That same day, he was accused of "blatant antisemitism" by Dani Dayan, the Chairman of Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre, for comparing Israel's actions to Adolf Hitler.{{Cite web |date=18 February 2024 |title=Israel livid as Brazil's Lula says Israel like 'Hitler,' committing genocide in Gaza |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-livid-as-brazils-lula-says-israel-like-hitler-committing-genocide-in-gaza/ |website=The Times of Israel|access-date=18 February 2024}} Brazil's ambassador to Israel Frederico Meyer was recalled after these comments, and President Lula was designated a persona non grata in the State of Israel.{{cite news |last1=Ionova |first1=Ana |last2=Motoryn |first2=Paulo |title=Brazil's President Lula Recalls Ambassador to Israel, Escalating Dispute |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/19/world/middleeast/brazil-israel-war-lula-ambassador.html |access-date=19 February 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=19 February 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Berman |first1=Lazar |title=Israel declares Brazil's Lula persona non grata for comparing Gaza war to Holocaust |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-declares-brazils-lula-persona-non-grata-for-comparing-gaza-war-to-holocaust/ |access-date=19 February 2024 |work=The Times of Israel |date=19 February 2024}} Lula subsequently declined to apologise and despite having invoked a comparison with Adolf Hitler, he stated "I did not say the word Holocaust, that was the interpretation of the prime minister of Israel, it was not mine."{{Cite news |title=Middle East crisis live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/feb/28/middle-east-crisis-live-red-sea-houthi-attack-gaza-israel-hamas |access-date=28 February 2024 |work=The Guardian}}

File:10.02.2023 - Reunião com o Presidente dos Estados Unidos da América, Joe Biden (52681638789).jpg at the White House on 10 February 2023]]

In April 2023, alluding to the support of the United States for Ukraine in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Lula said that the US needs to "stop encouraging war."{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/pt-br/lula-diz-que-eua-precisam-parar-de-incentivar-guerra/a-65335431|title=Lula diz que EUA precisam parar de "incentivar guerra" – DW – 15/04/2023|website=DW}} In May 2023, he said that US economic sanctions on Venezuela were "worse than a war" and "kill" women and children.{{Cite web|url=https://noticias.r7.com/brasilia/lula-critica-sancoes-a-venezuela-e-diz-que-bloqueios-matam-pessoas-29052023|title=Lula critica sanções à Venezuela e diz que bloqueios matam pessoas|date=29 May 2023|website=R7.com}} In February 2024, University of São Paulo foreign policy expert Feliciano de Sa Guimaraes said Lula only listens to one side in his government, "the left-wing, anti-American voices who very aggressively speak of a radical change in the global order."{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/brazils-lula-row-with-israel-has-divided-his-own-base/a-68362841|title=Brazil's Lula: Row with Israel has 'divided his own base|date=February 25, 2024|website=DW}}

File:29.05.2023 - Visita Oficial do Presidente da República Bolivariana da Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro (52936060538).jpg, May 2023]]

Lula restored diplomatic ties that Brazil had cut off with Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro government after 2018 elections that had been condemned by critics as a sham. In March 2023, Lula refused to join 54 other nations and sign a United Nations declaration criticizing Venezuela's human rights abuses.{{Cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/04/21/could-the-west-fall-out-of-love-with-lula-because-of-brazils-foreign-policy|title=Could the West fall out of love with Lula?|date=21 April 2023|website=euronews}} In May 2023 Lula met with Maduro in Brazil.{{Cite news|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/05/30/lula-and-maduro-launch-new-era-in-brazil-venezuela-ties_6028441_4.html|title=Lula and Maduro launch 'new era' in Brazil-Venezuela ties|date=30 May 2023|work=Le Monde}}

In May 2023, Lula warmly embraced and fully supported Venezuela's authoritarian leftist President Nicolás Maduro.{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/lula-maduro-brazil-unasur-regional-summit-6e528b8f0894d48900d344b917534352|title=Brazilian president's support of Venezuela's leader mars unity at South America summit|date=31 May 2023|website=AP News|first1=Carla|last1=Bridi|first2=Diane|last2=Jeantet|access-date=13 March 2024}} Lula dismissed charges against Maduro of human rights and civil rights abuses as a political "constructed narrative." Lula was criticized by Uruguay's President Luis Lacalle Pou, who said that the "worst thing we can do" is pretend there are no significant human rights problems in Venezuela, and by Chile's President Gabriel Boric, who said that Lula was making light of human rights violations in Venezuela. Lula also criticized as "unjustified" U.S. sanctions on Venezuela for its alleged human rights abuses, and criticized the United States for denying the legitimacy of Maduro, who the U.S. said had not allowed free elections.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuelas-maduro-meets-lula-first-visit-brazil-since-2015-2023-05-29/|title=Maduro and Lula hit out at US sanctions on Venezuela |publisher=Reuters|date=29 May 2023|access-date=13 March 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/venezuela-sanctions-brazils-president-lula-condemns-us-measures-and-hints-at-currency-to-challenge-dollar-12892990|title=Venezuela sanctions: Brazil's President Lula condemns US measures and hints at currency to challenge dollar|website=Sky News|date=30 May 2023|access-date=13 March 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-65750537|title=Lula welcomes back banned Venezuelan leader Maduro|date=29 May 2023|work=BBC|first1=Will|last1=Grant|first2=Jaroslav|last2=Lukiv|access-date=13 March 2024}}

{{Further|Bolsa Família}}

File:PM in a family photograph during the BRICS Leaders Retreat Meeting, at Johannesburg, in South Africa on August 23, 2023 (1).jpg, August 2023, in Johannesburg]]

In March 2023, Lula reinforced the Bolsa Família program. The programme was created during the first term of Lula and then significantly cut by Jair Bolsonaro, with its goal being help to around 60 million Brazilians suffering from poverty.{{cite news |title=Brazil's Lula re-launches program known for lifting millions out of poverty |url=https://www.laprensalatina.com/brazils-lula-re-launches-program-known-for-lifting-millions-out-of-poverty/ |access-date=13 September 2023 |agency=La Prensa Latina |date=2 March 2023 |archive-date=29 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029181310/https://www.laprensalatina.com/brazils-lula-re-launches-program-known-for-lifting-millions-out-of-poverty/ |url-status=live }} According to the World Bank estimates, the reinforced programme would reduce the poverty rate in Brazil to 24.3% – the level before the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |title=Food Insecurity and Food Inflation in Brazil |url=https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/brazil/publication/brazil-food-insecurity-and-food-inflation#:~:text=Coupled%20with%20extra%20upward%20revision,(World%20Bank%2C%202023). |website=The World Bank |access-date=13 September 2023 |archive-date=19 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019060853/https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/brazil/publication/brazil-food-insecurity-and-food-inflation#:~:text=Coupled%20with%20extra%20upward%20revision,(World%20Bank%2C%202023). |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|title=How left-wing on economics is Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva?|newspaper=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2022/09/19/how-left-wing-on-economics-is-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva |access-date=1 November 2022|issn=0013-0613 |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101021412/https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2022/09/19/how-left-wing-on-economics-is-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva |url-status=live}}

In August 2023, Lula announced a vast infrastructure investment programme of over $350 billion over four years. Part of this sum is earmarked to finance the "My home, my life" social housing project. It also includes 100 billion for energy and 65 billion for transport and roads. Education and health are also concerned, with the construction of schools and hospitals. The project also aims to boost economic growth and develop clean energy.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazil-launches-growth-acceleration-plan-set-invest-350-bln-2023-08-11/|title=Brazil's Lula unveils $350 bln 'growth acceleration' plan|work=Reuters|date=11 August 2023|access-date=18 February 2024}}{{cite web | url=https://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/08/11/novo-pac-lula-lanca-programa-nesta-sexta-e-governo-preve-investir-r-60-bi-por-ano.ghtml | title=Novo PAC: Lula lança programa nesta sexta, e governo prevê R$ 1,68 trilhão em investimentos | date=11 August 2023 | access-date=5 January 2024 | archive-date=14 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014194029/https://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/08/11/novo-pac-lula-lanca-programa-nesta-sexta-e-governo-preve-investir-r-60-bi-por-ano.ghtml | url-status=live }}

At the beginning of September, he presented a major plan to eradicate hunger, as 33 million Brazilians do not have enough to eat, and more than half the country is affected to varying degrees by some form of food insecurity. To this end, he set up a national network of food banks to prevent wastage, increased the budget allocated to school meals and increased the purchase of food from family farms to supply public canteens. These measures are part of a broader policy to build social housing and raise the minimum wage and other social benefits. The fight against world hunger is also high on the Brazilian president's international agenda.{{cite news | url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/07/13/brazil-s-fight-against-hunger-is-back-at-the-forefront_6052170_4.html | title=Brazil's fight against hunger is back at the forefront | newspaper=Le Monde.fr | date=13 July 2023 | access-date=5 January 2024 | archive-date=5 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105152159/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/07/13/brazil-s-fight-against-hunger-is-back-at-the-forefront_6052170_4.html | url-status=live }}{{Cite web|date=16 September 2014|title=Brazil removed from UN World Hunger Map|url=https://apnews.com/article/5c74f94eadaf47c28995416d5e9fae85 |access-date=1 November 2022|website=AP News|language=en |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101021417/https://apnews.com/article/5c74f94eadaf47c28995416d5e9fae85 |url-status=live}}

In the first quarter of 2023, Brazilian economy grew by 1.9%. In the second quarter, by 0.9%, 3 times more than expected, while many of the neighbors of Brazil saw a shrinkage in their economy. The possible reasons of this phenomenon included reduced inflation, a good harvest, and an improved credit rating. The economic policy of Lula regarding taxation, spending, public ownership of some companies probably played a major role in this. Explaining his economic philosophy Lula once said: ""[Brazilians] need to understand that the money that exists in this country needs to circulate in the hands of many people," "We do not want the concentration of wealth. We want more people to have access to credit to make the wheel of the economy turn. The growing economy needs to be distributed."{{cite web |last1=Lasarte |first1=Diego |title=After two straight quarters of economic growth in Brazil, Lula is back to beating expectations |url=https://qz.com/after-two-straight-quarters-of-economic-growth-in-brazi-1850805748 |website=Quartz |date=5 September 2023 |access-date=12 September 2023 |archive-date=12 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912093301/https://qz.com/after-two-straight-quarters-of-economic-growth-in-brazi-1850805748 |url-status=live }}

File:Global Biofuels Alliance at G20 New Delhi 2023.jpg at the 2023 G20 New Delhi summit]]

During his campaign, Lula pledged to end illegal logging.{{cite news|last=Malleret|first=Constance|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/10/brazil-record-deforestation-amazon-rainforest-lula-bolsonaro|title=Record deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest shows challenge facing Lula|newspaper=The Guardian|date=10 March 2023|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421161715/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/10/brazil-record-deforestation-amazon-rainforest-lula-bolsonaro|url-status=live}} In 2004, Lula had presented a road map for curbing deforestation. It was part of "The Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Legal Amazon", which sought to decrease deforestation in the Amazon by 80% by 2020.{{Cite journal |last1=Oliveira Pires |first1=Mauro |last2=María Majano |first2=Ana |last3=José Gutiérrez |first3=María |title=Implementing prevention and control policies for reducing deforestation |url=https://transparency-partnership.net/sites/default/files/brazil_gpa_long_0.pdf |journal=Global Good Practice Analysis on LEDS, NAMAs and MRV |publisher=Partnership on Transparency in the Paris Agreement |pages=3 |access-date=23 January 2024 |archive-date=31 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531010713/https://transparency-partnership.net/sites/default/files/brazil_gpa_long_0.pdf |url-status=live }} This plan was largely responsible for the 83% decrease in the Amazon deforestation rate in the years 2004 through 2012, but it was suspended during Bolsonaro's presidency. Lula re-affirmed the plan's goals in his third term, with a new target of zero illegal deforestation by the year 2030.{{cite web |title=Brazil's Lula lays out plan to halt Amazon deforestation |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/06/brazils-lula-lays-out-plan-to-halt-amazon-deforestation-00100342 |website=Politico |date=6 June 2023 |publisher=ASSOCIATED PRESS |access-date=20 June 2023 |archive-date=20 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620072230/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/06/brazils-lula-lays-out-plan-to-halt-amazon-deforestation-00100342 |url-status=live }} The plan includes different measures for creating a sustainable economy in the Amazon region, like bioeconomy, rural credits and managed fishing.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-05 |title=Brazil's Lula lays out plan to halt Amazon deforestation, make country "global reference" on climate |url=https://apnews.com/article/brazil-climate-carbon-amazon-deforestation-marina-d24fdc687f8e1ef27da2265bf70aad2f |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=22 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122234540/https://apnews.com/article/brazil-climate-carbon-amazon-deforestation-marina-d24fdc687f8e1ef27da2265bf70aad2f |url-status=live }}

File:Amazon CIAT (5).jpg near Manaus, Brazil]]

According to Amazon Conservation's MAAP forest monitoring programme, the deforestation rate in the Brazilian Amazon from the 1 of January to the 8 of November 2023 decreased by 59% in comparison to the same period in 2022.{{cite web |last1=Spring |first1=Jake |title=Climate boost: 2023 Amazon deforestation drops 55.8%, study finds |url=https://www.mynrination.com/brazil/2023/11/29/climate-boost-2023-amazon-deforestation-drops-558-study-finds |website=The NRI Nation |date=29 November 2023 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=3 December 2023 |archive-date=3 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203133835/https://www.mynrination.com/brazil/2023/11/29/climate-boost-2023-amazon-deforestation-drops-558-study-finds |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Prange de Oliveira |first1=Astrid |title=The Amazon: Once again a Model of Climate Protection, even Beyond Brazil? |url=https://www.welthungerhilfe.org/global-food-journal/rubrics/climate-resources/amazon-a-model-for-climate-protection-again |website=WELTHUNGERHILFE.ORG |access-date=30 October 2023 |archive-date=30 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030155812/https://www.welthungerhilfe.org/global-food-journal/rubrics/climate-resources/amazon-a-model-for-climate-protection-again |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Amazon Deforestation Down 40 Percent So Far This Year |url=https://e360.yale.edu/digest/amazon-deforestation-down-2023 |website=Yale Environment 360 |publisher=Yale School of the Environment |access-date=14 May 2023 |archive-date=13 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513031307/https://e360.yale.edu/digest/amazon-deforestation-down-2023 |url-status=live }} In July 2023 the deforestation rate was 66% lower than in July 2022. In the beginning of August Lula participated in the Belem summit, 8 Amazonian nations renewed the Amazon cooperation treaty.{{cite web |title=Amazon deforestation continues to fall under Lula |url=https://news.mongabay.com/2023/08/amazon-deforestation-continues-to-fall-under-lula/ |website=Mongabay |date=5 August 2023 |access-date=6 August 2023 |archive-date=6 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806013514/https://news.mongabay.com/2023/08/amazon-deforestation-continues-to-fall-under-lula/ |url-status=live }}{{Update inline|date=January 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Watts |first1=Jonathan |title=Amazon deforestation falls over 60% compared with last July, says Brazilian minister |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/02/amazon-deforestation-falls-over-60-compared-with-last-july-says-brazilian-minister |access-date=6 August 2023 |agency=The Guardian |date=2 August 2023 |archive-date=6 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806070830/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/02/amazon-deforestation-falls-over-60-compared-with-last-july-says-brazilian-minister |url-status=live }}

However, there are concerns that illegal loggers have partly moved their action from the Amazon rainforest to Cerrado, where the environmental destruction has increased.{{cite news |last1=LOGIURATTO |first1=Eugenia |title=Lula to host S.American summit on saving the Amazon |url=https://www.terradaily.com/reports/Lula_to_host_SAmerican_summit_on_saving_the_Amazon_999.html |access-date=6 August 2023 |agency=Terra Daily |date=5 August 2023 |archive-date=6 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806045217/https://www.terradaily.com/reports/Lula_to_host_SAmerican_summit_on_saving_the_Amazon_999.html |url-status=live }}

As a whole, the rate of primary forest loss declined in Brazil by 36% in 2023.{{cite news |last1=McGrath |first1=Matt |title=Climate change: Logging decline after political change in Brazil, Colombia |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-68716874 |access-date=7 April 2024 |agency=BBC}}

Bolsonaro had strongly cut spending for security in the Brazilian Amazon, and in 2022, 34 environmental defenders were murdered in this region. When Lula re-assumed office, he sent troops to restore law enforcement in the region. As of October 2023 there were still "reports of violence, threats, torture, intimidation, attempts at criminalization and other non-lethal violations".{{cite web |last1=Alves |first1=Thiago |title=The Amazon: The most dangerous place in the world for environmental defenders |url=https://www.brazilreports.com/the-amazon-the-most-dangerous-place-in-the-world-for-environmental-defenders/5428/ |website=The Brazilian Report |date=14 October 2023 |access-date=9 January 2024 |archive-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207194015/https://brazilreports.com/the-amazon-the-most-dangerous-place-in-the-world-for-environmental-defenders/5428/ |url-status=live }}

In April, Biden pledged to give $500 million to the Amazon Fund which was frozen during the rule of Bolsonaro and reactivated when Lula returned to power, to deal with climate change".{{cite news|last1=Pozzebon|first1=Stefano|last2=John|first2=Tara|last3=Judd|first3=DJ|title=US President Joe Biden pledges $500 million to curb Amazon deforestation|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/20/americas/us-biden-amazon-fund-petro-intl-latam/index.html|access-date=21 April 2023|agency=CNN|date=20 April 2023|archive-date=20 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420223426/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/20/americas/us-biden-amazon-fund-petro-intl-latam/index.html|url-status=live}} According to John Kerry, the overall financial help from US to Brazil for stopping deforestation through different channels will be around 2 billion US dollars.{{cite web|last1=Silva|first1=Cede|title=Biden pledge USD 500 million for Amazon Fund|url=https://brazilian.report/liveblog/2023/04/20/biden-pledge-amazon-fund/|website=The Brazilian Report|date=20 April 2023|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=20 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420135014/https://brazilian.report/liveblog/2023/04/20/biden-pledge-amazon-fund/|url-status=live}}

Lula and French president Emmanuel Macron agreed about cooperation between Brazil and France on different environmental issues, including the transmission of 1.1 billion dollars for preserving the Amazon rainforest.{{cite news |last1=Parolin |first1=Lucas |title=Macron, Lula strengthen climate pacts |url=https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news-and-insights/latest-market-news/2553982-macron-lula-strengthen-climate-pacts |access-date=7 April 2024 |agency=Argus |date=3 April 2024}}

File:21.01.2023 - Anúncio de ações emergenciais para a população Yanomami (52640430517).jpg in the Brazilian state of Roraima during the Yanomami humanitarian crisis in January 2023]]

Lula pledged to recognize 14 new indigenous reserves. Six were recognized as of May 2023.{{cite news |last1=Hemingway Jaynes |first1=Cristen |title=Lula Recognizes Six New Brazilian Indigenous Reserves |url=https://www.ecowatch.com/lula-brazil-indigenous-reserves-mining.html |access-date=10 May 2023 |agency=Ecowatch |date=1 May 2023 |archive-date=9 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509005726/https://www.ecowatch.com/lula-brazil-indigenous-reserves-mining.html |url-status=live }} Lula and American president Joe Biden committed to work together on the issue.{{cite news|last1=Unterstell|first1=Natalie|last2=Marie Oseland|first2=Karen|title=Comment: Biden and Lula want to save the Amazon. Will the private sector answer their call?|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/comment-biden-lula-want-save-amazon-will-private-sector-answer-their-call-2023-03-02/|access-date=21 April 2023|work=Reuters|date=2 March 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421142248/https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/comment-biden-lula-want-save-amazon-will-private-sector-answer-their-call-2023-03-02/|url-status=live}}

Several hours after Lula talked about leaving fossil fuels at COP 28, his government held an auction in which it offered 603 territorial blocks for oil extraction. The territories cover 2% of the territory of Brazil, overlap with many protected areas or areas belonging to indigenous people and can result in a release of 1 gigaton of CO2.{{cite news |last1=Cabette Fabio |first1=Andre |title=Brazil oil auction angers activists after Lula's COP28 vow |url=https://www.context.news/net-zero/brazil-oil-auction-angers-activists-after-lulas-cop28-vow |access-date=9 January 2024 |agency=Context |date=15 December 2023 |archive-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218093455/https://www.context.news/net-zero/brazil-oil-auction-angers-activists-after-lulas-cop28-vow |url-status=live }}

Lula has expressed support for the paving of BR-319, a project initiated by the Bolsonaro government. Although he argues that the project can be done sustainably, one study found that the road could enable deforestation on a scale of territory the size of Florida by 2030. A court blocked the project in July 2024, saying that the government lacked a plan to combat the deforestation that would follow the implementation of the project.{{cite news |title=Brazil court overturns Amazon highway decision |url=https://www.dw.com/en/brazil-court-overturns-amazon-highway-decision/a-69770605 |access-date=29 July 2024 |agency=Deutsche Welle |date=26 July 2024}}

In March 2023, the Lula government launched a campaign to fight "misinformation".{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2023/5/5/a-brazilian-ministry-of-truth-is-in-the-making|title=A Brazilian 'Ministry of Truth' is in the making|first=Raphael Tsavkko|last=Garcia|website=Al Jazeera}}{{Cite web|url=https://brazilreports.com/proposed-bill-to-regulate-social-media-in-brazil-raises-discussion-on-freedom-of-speech-and-the-fight-against-fake-news/4635/|title=Proposed bill to regulate social media in Brazil raises discussion on freedom of speech and the fight against fake news|first=Tabata|last=Viapiana|work=Brazil Reports |date=27 April 2023}} The initiative was viewed by many as a tool for Lula's administration to delegitimize criticism it faces—under the guise of "fact-checking", and raised serious concerns about freedom of expression.{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20230509-messaging-app-telegram-calls-brazil-disinformation-law-attack-on-democracy|title=US tech giant Telegram calls Brazil disinformation law 'attack on democracy'|date=9 May 2023|website=France 24}} In response, the senior programme director of the International Centre for Journalists, Christina Tardáliga, tweeted "There is no such thing as government fact-checking. This appropriation of the term is misguided and offensive. What the government does is propaganda."

In late October 2024, Lula suffered a fall in the official residence, which resulted in trauma to the back of his head and a small brain hemorrhage in the temporal-frontal region, prompting him to cancel, under advice from his doctors, a planned trip to a BRICS summit in Russia.{{Cite news |date=2024-10-21 |title=Brazil's Lula says head injury 'serious,' with update from doctors in coming days |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazils-lula-well-after-head-injury-minister-says-2024-10-21/ |access-date=2024-12-10 |work=Reuters}}{{cite news |date=21 October 2024 |title=Brazil president Lula cancels Brics trip to Russia after 'small brain haemorrhage' from fall |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/21/brazil-president-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-fall-russia-trip-brics |newspaper=The Guardian}} In December of the same year, he was admitted to hospital after complaining of a headache. A brain haemorrhage was discovered after an MRI scan, and an emergency craniotomy was performed. The intracranial haemorrhage was attributed to his fall in October. After the operation he was reported to be recovering in intensive care.{{cite news| last=Phillips | first=Tom | title=Brazilian president in intensive care after emergency brain surgery |newspaper=The Guardian | date=10 December 2024 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/10/brazilian-president-lula-intensive-care-brain-surgery }}

{{Lulism}}

Lula has advocated "socialism of the 21st century", but Lulism is considered to be substantially similar to social liberalism.{{cite book|editor=Jeffrey Sluyter-Beltrão|title=Rise and Decline of Brazil's New Unionism: The Politics of the Central Única Dos Trabalhadores|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kbzXJICgcdMC&pg=PA15|quote=This neo-liberal about face by the small core group of PT leaders (núcleo duro) around Lula reflected, in good part, the group's own shift away from anti-systemic, transformative goals and toward social liberalism.|date=2010|page=15|publisher=Peter Lang|isbn=9783034301145 |access-date=9 April 2022 |archive-date=14 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114140154/https://books.google.com/books?id=kbzXJICgcdMC&pg=PA15 |url-status=live}}{{cite book|editor=Alejandro M. Peña|title=Transnational Governance and South American Politics: The Political Economy of Norms|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M990DQAAQBAJ&pg=PA240|quote=In this manner, while the social liberalism of Lulismo favored the agenda of the local actors advancing sustainability and CSR projects in Brazil, and further tilted the discursive field in favor of the transnational sustainability ...|date=2016|page=240|publisher=Springer|isbn=9781137538635 |access-date=9 April 2022 |archive-date=14 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114140154/https://books.google.com/books?id=M990DQAAQBAJ&pg=PA240 |url-status=live}}{{cite book|editor=Mário Maestri|title=Abdias Do Nascimento|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lQtKEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA7|quote=... que teve as portas do poder escancaradas pela longa gestão social-liberal de Lula da Silva e Dilma Rousseff. |trans-quote=... which had the doors of power thrown open by the long social-liberal administration of Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff.|language=Portuguese|date=2018|page=7|publisher=Clube de Autores|isbn=9788567542249 |access-date=9 April 2022 |archive-date=14 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114140155/https://books.google.com/books?id=lQtKEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA7 |url-status=live}} Although he showed a moderate centre-left liberal tendency economically, he highlighted his closeness with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and negatively evaluated Juan Guaidó during the Venezuelan crisis.{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/america/venezuela/2019/11/24/juan-guaido-respondio-las-criticas-de-lula-da-silva-por-nuestra-constitucion-soy-presidente-encargado-usted-es-un-ladron-condenado/|title=Juan Guaidó respondió las críticas de Lula da Silva: "Por nuestra Constitución soy Presidente Encargado, usted es un ladrón condenado" |trans-title=Juan Guaidó responded to Lula da Silva's criticism: "By our Constitution I am President-in-Office, you are a convicted thief."|language=es|work=Infobae|date=24 November 2019 |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115043856/https://www.infobae.com/america/venezuela/2019/11/24/juan-guaido-respondio-las-criticas-de-lula-da-silva-por-nuestra-constitucion-soy-presidente-encargado-usted-es-un-ladron-condenado/ |url-status=live}} He is "personally against" abortion, but maintains that it should be treated as a public health issue.{{Cite web|title=Lula, sobre aborto: 'deveria ser transformado numa questão de saúde pública e todo mundo ter direito'|url=https://g1.globo.com/politica/eleicoes/2022/noticia/2022/04/06/lula-sobre-aborto-deveria-ser-transformado-numa-questao-de-saude-publica-e-todo-mundo-ter-direito.ghtml |access-date=31 October 2022|website=G1|date=6 April 2022 |language=pt |archive-date=31 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031212611/https://g1.globo.com/politica/eleicoes/2022/noticia/2022/04/06/lula-sobre-aborto-deveria-ser-transformado-numa-questao-de-saude-publica-e-todo-mundo-ter-direito.ghtml |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=6 October 2022|title=PT lança vídeo com Lula dizendo ser contra o aborto: "A favor da vida"|url=https://www.metropoles.com/brasil/eleicoes-2022/pt-lanca-video-com-lula-dizendo-ser-contra-o-aborto-a-favor-da-vida |access-date=31 October 2022|website=metropoles.com|language=pt |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006192224/https://www.metropoles.com/brasil/eleicoes-2022/pt-lanca-video-com-lula-dizendo-ser-contra-o-aborto-a-favor-da-vida |url-status=live}}

Lula criticized the decisions by Western countries to cut funding to UNRWA and in response pledged to the Palestinian government that Brazil would increase its funding to UNRWA. Lula has called for a two-state solution with Palestine "definitively recognised as a full and sovereign state".{{Cite web |title=Brazil's Lula compares Israel's war on Gaza with the Holocaust |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/18/brazils-lula-compares-israels-war-on-gaza-with-the-holocaust |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}

On 18 February 2024, Lula told reporters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia while attending the African Union Summit, "What's happening in the Gaza Strip isn't a war, it's a genocide.{{nbsp}}... It's not a war of soldiers against soldiers. It's a war between a highly prepared army and women and children.{{nbsp}}... What's happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people hasn't happened at any other moment in history. Actually, it has happened: when Hitler decided to kill the Jews".

The list of Lula's awards since 2003:

• In 2008 he was awarded the UNESCO Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize.United Nations (13 May 2009). [https://news.un.org/en/story/2009/05/299902 Brazilian President awarded UN cultural agency's peace prize] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102100919/https://news.un.org/en/story/2009/05/299902 |date=2 January 2023 }}.
• In 2012 he received the Four Freedoms Award.

Academy Award-nominated Brazilian director Fábio Barreto directed the 2009 Brazilian biographical film Lula, Son of Brazil that depicts the life of Lula up to 35 years of age.{{Cite news |last=Holden |first=Stephen |date=12 January 2012 |title='Lula: Son of Brazil,' Directed by Fábio Barreto – Review |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/13/movies/lula-son-of-brazil-directed-by-fabio-barreto-review.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217120946/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/13/movies/lula-son-of-brazil-directed-by-fabio-barreto-review.html |archive-date=17 February 2018 |access-date=14 July 2017 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Upon its release, it was the most expensive Brazilian film ever.{{Cite news |date=2009-07-31 |title=Mônica Bergamo: Orçamento de filme sobre Lula já passa dos R$ 17 milhões |trans-title=Mônica Bergamo: Budget for movie about Lula already exceeds R$17 million |url=http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/ilustrada/ult90u603020.shtml |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804003658/http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/ilustrada/ult90u603020.shtml |archive-date=2009-08-04 |work=Folha de S.Paulo |language=pt-BR}} The film was a commercial and critical failure.{{Cite web|title=Filme sobre Lula é fracasso de bilheteria, diz ´El país': Brasil|url=http://www.band.com.br/noticias/brasil/noticia/?id=259013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130419054515/http://www.band.com.br/noticias/brasil/noticia/?id=259013 |archive-date=19 April 2013 |access-date=11 June 2012}}{{Cite web|title=Lula, the Son of Brazil|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lula_the_son_of_brazil/|website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=21 February 2020 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201162302/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lula_the_son_of_brazil |url-status=live}} Critics charged that it was election propaganda, fostering a cult of personality.{{Cite news |date=2010-01-12 |title=Filme sobre Lula pode influenciar eleição presidencial, diz 'NYT' |trans-title=Movie about Lula could influence presidential election, says 'NYT' |url=https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/noticias/2010/01/100112_lula_filme_nyt_rw |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115202415/http://www.bbc.co.uk/portuguese/noticias/2010/01/100112_lula_filme_nyt_rw.shtml |archive-date=2010-01-15 |access-date=2017-07-14 |work=BBC News |language=pt-BR}}{{Cite news |date=2009-11-24 |title=Dilma admite que filme de Lula pode ajudar nas eleições de 2010 |trans-title=Dilma admits that Lula's movie could help in the 2010 elections |url=https://veja.abril.com.br/brasil/dilma-admite-que-filme-de-lula-pode-ajudar-nas-eleicoes-de-2010/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100929020834/http://veja.abril.com.br/noticia/brasil/dilma-acredita-filme-lula-ajudara-eleicoes-2010 |archive-date=2010-09-29 |access-date=2017-07-14 |work=Veja |language=pt-BR}}{{cite news|url=http://veja.abril.com.br:80/blog/ponto-de-vista/governo-lula/lula-o-filme-do-brasil/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110125090347/http://veja.abril.com.br/blog/ponto-de-vista/governo-lula/lula-o-filme-do-brasil/|archive-date=25 January 2011|title=O culto da personalidade na indicação ao Oscar|work=Veja|publisher=Grupo Abril|date=23 September 2010|url-status=dead}}

The Netflix Brazilian series The Mechanism deals with Operation Car Wash, and has a character inspired by Lula, who is referred to as João Higino in the series.{{cite news|url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/cultura-e-lazer/tv/noticia/2018/03/o-mecanismo-saiba-quais-personagens-foram-inspirados-em-nomes-como-lula-e-moro-na-serie-da-netflix-cjf4hm3gp00o101qb6fh5lm5g.html|title="O Mecanismo": saiba quais personagens foram inspirados em nomes como Lula e Moro na série da Netflix|work={{ill|GZH (website)|pt|GZH|lt=Gauchazh}}|date=23 March 2018|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405214456/https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/cultura-e-lazer/tv/amp/2018/03/o-mecanismo-saiba-quais-personagens-foram-inspirados-em-nomes-como-lula-e-moro-na-serie-da-netflix-cjf4hm3gp00o101qb6fh5lm5g.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/culture/2018/03/1962408-netflix-and-director-padilha-are-criticized-and-boycotted-for-series-about-car-wash-investigation.shtml|title=Folha de S.Paulo – Internacional – En – Culture – Netflix and Director Padilha are Criticized and Boycotted for Series about Car Wash Investigation – 27/03/2018|website=www1.folha.uol.com.br}}

The 2019 Brazilian documentary, The Edge of Democracy, written and directed by Petra Costa, chronicled the rise and fall of Lula and Dilma Rousseff, and the socio-political upheaval in Brazil during the period.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/18/movies/edge-of-democracy-review.html|title=Review: 'Edge of Democracy' Looks at Brazil With Outrage and Heartbreak|last=Scott|first=A. O.|date=18 June 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=6 January 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024055429/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/18/movies/edge-of-democracy-review.html|url-status=live}} Lula is also featured in the director's 2024 documentary Apocalypse in the Tropics.{{cite web |last1=Pearce |first1=Leonard |title=62nd New York Film Festival Adds Films from Jean-Luc Godard, Alex Ross Perry, Leos Carax, Guy Maddin, Pablo Larraín & More |url=https://thefilmstage.com/62nd-new-york-film-festival-adds-films-from-jean-luc-godard-alex-ross-perry-leos-carax-guy-maddin-pablo-larrain-more/ |website=The Film Stage |date=14 August 2024 |access-date=14 August 2024}}

{{reflist}}

• Silva, Luis Inácio da; Castro, Cassiana Rosa de; Machado, Sueli de Fátima; Santos, Alveci Oliveira de Orato; Ferreira, Luiz Tarcísio Teixeira; Teixeira, Paulo; Suplicy, Marta; Dutra, Olívio (2003). "The programme for land tenure legalization on public land in São Paulo, Brazil". Environment and Urbanization 15 (2): 191–200.
• Bourne, R (2008). [http://www.ucpress.edu/book.php?isbn=9780520261556 Lula of Brazil : The story so far]. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. {{ISBN|978-0-520-24663-8}}.
• Goertzel, Ted (2011). [http://crab.rutgers.edu/~goertzel/BrazilsLula.html Brazil's Lula: The Most Popular Politician on Earth]. Boca Raton, Florida: Brown Walker Press. {{ISBN|978-1-61233-505-6}}.
• {{cite book|last=Cardim de Carvalho|first=Fernando J.|chapter=Lula's Government in Brazil: A New Left or the Old Populism?|editor-first=Philip|editor-last=Arestis|editor2-first=Alfredo|editor2-last=Saad-Filho|title=Political Economy of Brazil|location=London|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|year=2007|isbn=978-0-230-54277-8|pages=24–41}}

{{Commons and category}}

{{Wikiquote}}

{{Wikinews category}}

• [https://www.facebook.com/Lula Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's official page] on Facebook
• {{Bluesky}}
• {{C-SPAN|1003918}}
• {{Charlie Rose view|6174}}
• {{IMDb name|1300752}}
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5346744.stm Profile: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]. BBC News. 28 January 2010.
• Moore, Michael (20 April 2010). [https://web.archive.org/web/20100502133053/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1984685_1984864_1984866,00.html "The 2010 TIME 100: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva"]. Time.

; Speeches

• [http://www.unctad.org/sections/edm_dir/docs//Lula_statement290104_en.pdf "Transcript of statements by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, to the high-level meeting for foreign investors"](PDF) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409072321/http://www.unctad.org/sections/edm_dir/docs//Lula_statement290104_en.pdf |date=9 April 2008 }}. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. 29 January 2004. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20111021142313/http://www.unctad.org/Templates/Webflyer.asp?docID=4388&intItemID=2068&lang=1 Meeting press release]).
• [https://www.un.org/en/ga/64/generaldebate/BR.shtml "General Debate of the 64th Session"] (2009). United Nations.

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