Lula Embraces Former PT Treasurer Delúbio Soares at Goiás Inauguration

Overview

• President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva recognized and hugged former PT treasurer Delúbio Soares during the inauguration of the IF Goiano campus in Catalão, an interaction captured at the event on Tuesday and widely circulated in video form.
• Delúbio, who has announced he is a pre-candidate for federal deputy in Goiás, published the clip on his social accounts the day after the inauguration to highlight his long personal ties with Lula and his pledge to support the party.
• Delúbio was a central figure in the Mensalão scandal, was convicted by the Supreme Federal Court in 2012 and later received an indulto from Justice Luís Roberto Barroso after meeting legal requirements, and subsequent Lava Jato charges were limited by the STJ on jurisdictional grounds.
• At the same Catalão event Lula also publicly criticized a proposed 25% U.S. tariff on Brazilian goods and blamed the Bolsonaro family for the measure, using the occasion to link trade rhetoric with domestic political attacks.
• The reunion shifts political optics in an election year by suggesting Delúbio's reintegration into PT circles, and it could influence voter perceptions and internal party debate so watch for formal PT statements and Delúbio's campaign moves next.