Evangelical Leader Silas Malafaia Breaks With Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes Over Lula Alliance

Overview

• Silas Malafaia declared the long‑standing non‑aggression pact with Eduardo Paes ended after staying neutral in the 2020 and 2024 mayoral races.
• He cited Paes’s closeness to President Lula and a Sambadrome tribute he called a mockery of Christians as the reason for the rupture.
• Malafaia said he will support either Douglas Ruas or Civil Police secretary Felipe Curi for governor of Rio de Janeiro.
• He set a first public engagement with Ruas for Saturday at a Vitória em Cristo church inauguration in Cabo Frio.
• He dismissed Paes’s selection of evangelical running mate Jane Reis as having no bearing on his decision.