The government of the Brazilian state of Roraima reported, in a statement released this Saturday (Jan. 3), that it “is closely monitoring recent events in Venezuela and any repercussions on regional stability, reaffirming its commitment to peace, public order, and the security of the local population.”

According to the text, due to its geographical location, Roraima has historically maintained cooperative relations with neighboring countries, including Venezuela and Guyana.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Defense Minister: Brazil–Venezuela border remains calm and open.
• Lula condemns attacks on Venezuela, Brazilian diplomats discuss crisis.

“State authorities remain in constant contact with the relevant bodies of the Brazilian government to monitor possible developments that may impact the daily lives of the population. The government of Roraima reinforces the importance of international issues being handled through diplomatic mechanisms and dialogue, avoiding any escalation of conflict that could compromise the stability and well-being of the peoples of the region.”

During the early hours of Saturday, United States armed forces carried out bombings in the capital, Caracas, and other regions of the neighboring country. After the operation, US President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Brazil and Venezuela share a border of more than 2,000 kilometers, and according to Defense Minister José Múcio, the region “is calm, monitored, and open.”

According to the statement, state public security agencies in Roraima are coordinated and maintaining normal operating routines.

Pacaraima

Waldery D’Ávila, the mayor of Pacaraima, a Brazilian municipality that borders Venezuela, expressed “deep concern about the attacks that occurred in the early hours of today in Caracas” and said he was “monitoring the situation and working together with security forces to ensure stability and peace in the border region.”

Federal civil servant Jean Oliveira, 54, who was in the Venezuelan border town of Santa Elena de Uiarén, told reporters that he managed to leave via a clandestine route after the border was closed early in the morning.

“We had to take an alternative route,” Oliveira said. According to him, after reaching the Brazilian side, Venezuelan authorities allowed only Brazilians to cross the border, not Venezuelan citizens. The border crossing from Brazil into Venezuela also remained closed by the neighboring government. Despite some apprehension, the civil servant noted the situation in the region appeared relatively normal.

“I was there this morning, but everything was calm. Only the Brazilians staying at the hotel were apprehensive about the situation. But, in general, we didn’t notice any changes among the local population,” Oliveira added.

Background

The US invasion of Venezuela marks a new episode of direct intervention by Washington in Latin America. The last time the US invaded a Latin American country was in 1989, in Panama, when US military forces captured then-President Manuel Noriega, accusing him of drug trafficking.

Just as in the case of Noriega, the US has accused Maduro - without presenting evidence - of leading an alleged Venezuelan drug cartel known as Los Soles. Experts on international drug trafficking question the very existence of the group.

The US government had offered a reward of USD 50 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest.

For critics, the move is a geopolitical strategy aimed at distancing Venezuela from US global rivals such as China and Russia, while also seeking greater control over the country’s oil reserves, the largest proven reserves in the world.

The border between Brazil and Venezuela, in the state of Roraima, remains calm, monitored, and open, Brazilian Defense Minister José Múcio said on Saturday (Jan. 3). The government also reported that there are no indications of Brazilians injured in the United States bombings against Venezuela.

“The border is absolutely calm. We have had a contingent of personnel and equipment there for some time now. We are monitoring developments and awaiting the interview with the president of the United States, as well as other events expected later in the day,” Múcio noted.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Lula condemns attacks on Venezuela, Brazilian diplomats discuss crisis.
• Border state Roraima monitors impacts of US attack on Venezuela.

The Defense Minister stated that Brazil has 10,000 military personnel in the Amazon region, including 2,300 in Roraima. Múcio added that there is a great deal of conflicting information and that the government is monitoring developments.

The statement followed an emergency meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brasília, attended by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva via videoconference. A second emergency meeting was scheduled for 5 p.m., also at the ministry.

The first meeting was also attended by interim Foreign Affairs Minister Maria Laura da Rocha and interim Presidential Chief of Staff Miriam Belchior, as well as the minister-chief of the Secretariat of Social Communication, Sidônio Palmeira, and representatives from the Secretariat of Institutional Relations and the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that President Lula reaffirmed the position previously released condemning the US attack on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by US military forces.

Interim Minister Rocha stated that Brazil still has no information on the whereabouts of President Maduro and confirmed that there are no reports of Brazilians injured.

“The Brazilian community is calm, with no incidents reported so far. Tourists are able to leave normally, and there is total normality regarding the Brazilian community,” the interim minister noted.

Background

The US invasion of Venezuela marks a new episode of direct intervention by Washington in Latin America. The last time the US invaded a Latin American country was in 1989, in Panama, when US military forces captured then-President Manuel Noriega, accusing him of drug trafficking.

Just as in the case of Noriega, the US has accused Maduro - without presenting evidence - of leading an alleged Venezuelan drug cartel known as Los Soles. Experts on international drug trafficking question the very existence of the group.

The US government had offered a reward of USD 50 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest.

For critics, the move is a geopolitical strategy aimed at distancing Venezuela from US global rivals such as China and Russia, while also seeking greater control over the country’s oil reserves, the largest proven reserves in the world.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke out this Saturday morning (Jan. 3) about the United States’ attacks on Venezuela and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Lula condemned the military action and demanded a vigorous response from the United Nations (UN).

Through social media, Lula stated that such actions “cross an unacceptable line.”

Notícias relacionadas:

• Defense Minister: Brazil–Venezuela border remains calm and open.
• Border state Roraima monitors impacts of US attack on Venezuela.

“These acts represent a very serious affront to the sovereignty of Venezuela and set yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community. Attacking countries, in flagrant violation of international law, is the first step toward a world of violence, chaos, and instability, where the law of the strongest prevails over multilateralism,” said Lula.

The Brazilian president recalled that Brazil has always opposed the use of force in other countries and regions, and noted the action is reminiscent of “the worst moments of interference in the politics of Latin America and the Caribbean.”

“Brazil condemns these actions and remains available to promote dialogue and cooperation,” he added.

An emergency meeting at the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs took place on Saturday morning to discuss the crisis in the neighboring country. President Lula participated via videoconference, as he is in Rio de Janeiro. His staff informed that the president will return to Brasília later today. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, was on vacation and will also return to Brasília today.

Attacks on Venezuela

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced this Saturday a large-scale attack on Venezuela. The capital, Caracas, and other cities were hit by air and ground forces. According to Trump, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and removed from the country.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez demanded proof of life from President Nicolás Maduro and the first lady, whose whereabouts remain unknown after the US attacks.

The new Brazilian monthly minimum wage of BRL 1,621 (USD 294.5) came into effect this Thursday (Jan. 1). The adjustment of 6.79 percent, or BRL 103, was confirmed by the Ministry of Planning and Budget on December 10. The previous minimum wage was BRL 1,518.

The new value was announced after the release of the National Consumer Price Index (INPC), which is used to calculate the annual minimum wage adjustment. The index registered 0.03 percent in November and accumulated 4.18 percent over 12 months.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazilian economy grows 0.1% in third quarter.
• Brazilian economy expected to grow 2.44% in 2026 budget forecast.

According to estimates from the Inter-Union Department of Statistics and Socioeconomic Studies (Dieese), the new minimum wage will inject BRL 81.7 billion into the Brazilian economy. The calculation takes into account the effects on income, consumption, and tax revenue, even under a scenario of stricter fiscal constraints.

Rule

The rule for adjusting the minimum wage stipulates that the value must be based on two factors: one based on the 12-month accumulated INPC (National Consumer Price Index) through November of the previous year, that is, 4.18 percent, and another based on economic growth from two years earlier.

On December 4, the Brazilian government’s statistics agency IBGE revised the 2024 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - the sum of goods and services produced in the country - confirming an expansion of 3.4 percent.

However, the fiscal framework, a mechanism that controls the evolution of public spending, determines that gains above inflation are limited to a range of 0.6 percent to 2.5 percent.

According to the rule, the minimum wage in 2026 would be BRL 1,620.99 and, with the rounding provided for by law, it becomes BRL 1,621, an adjustment of 6.79 percent.

Officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest New Year’s Eve celebration in the world, the party in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, brought together 2.6 million people. The figure surpassed that of the transition to 2025, when the event attracted 2.5 million residents and tourists. When combined with celebrations at other venues organized by the municipality, the total reached 5.1 million people who welcomed the arrival of 2026. In all, 13 stages were set up across the city. The estimates were provided by Rio’s municipal authorities.

The highlight of the celebration was the historic fireworks display in Copacabana, which used 19 barges distributed along the coastline - almost double the number used the previous year - and lit up the city’s sky for 12 minutes. According to the city administration, it was the largest ever held in Rio.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Guinness recognizes Rio’s New Year’s Eve as world’s largest.

In Copacabana, the audience was enchanted after midnight by a show that used 1,200 drones, considered the largest such presentation at a large-scale event in Latin America.

Everything unfolded to the sound of DJ Alok, while drones formed images in the sky honoring the city - such as Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain - synchronized with the fireworks display. One striking moment was the projection of a human face that interacted with the audience through messages displayed in the air.

Six bets will share the billion-dollar Mega da Virada jackpot, drawn on Thursday (Jan. 1), totaling BRL 1,091,357,286.52. In a statement, Caixa Econômica Federal announced that each winning bet will take home BRL 181,892,881.09. The numbers drawn in contest 2,955 were 09, 13, 21, 32, 33 and 59.

Of the winning bets, three were placed at lottery shops, while the other three were made through electronic channels. Two of the six winning bets were pools.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Lottery: Year-end Mega da Virada prize estimated at USD 180M.

According to the public bank, the 3,921 bets that hit the quina (five numbers) will each receive a cash prize of BRL 11,931.42. Finally, the quadra, which rewards those who hit four numbers, will pay BRL 216.76 to each of the 308,315 winners.

“The 17th edition of Mega da Virada recorded more than BRL 3 billion in revenue, representing an increase of 22.6 percent compared with 2024,” the bank said.

Operational problems

The draw scheduled for Wednesday evening (Dec. 31) was postponed to Thursday (Jan. 1) due to operational problems.

In a statement, Caixa explained that the record prize generated unprecedented activity across betting channels. The bank recorded 120,000 transactions per second on its digital platforms and 4,745 transactions per second at lottery outlets nationwide.

Former President Jair Bolsonaro was discharged from the hospital late Thursday afternoon (Jan. 1) after undergoing surgery at a hospital in Brasília. Bolsonaro has been in prison since November, after being convicted of participating in a coup plot to prevent President Lula from taking office.

Bolsonaro had been hospitalized since December 24 and underwent surgery for a bilateral inguinal hernia.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Defense requests permission for Bolsonaro to leave prison for surgery.

The hospital’s medical team then evaluated the need for additional procedures to address his hiccups. On Wednesday (Dec. 31), the former president underwent an endoscopy, which revealed persistent esophagitis and gastritis.

With his discharge from the hospital, Bolsonaro returned to the Federal Police headquarters in Brasília, where he has been imprisoned since November after being sentenced to 27 years and three months for the coup plot.

On Thursday morning, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes denied a request by the former president’s defense team for humanitarian house arrest following his release.

In his decision, Moraes ruled that Bolsonaro’s defense had not presented “any new facts that could overturn the reasons underlying the decision to deny the request for humanitarian house arrest issued on December 19, 2025.”

The document reiterates that Bolsonaro’s doctors remain authorized to have full access, along with the necessary medications, a physical therapist, and “the delivery of food prepared by his family members.”

* Lana Cristina (TV Brasil) contributed to this report.

With a sprint in the final minutes, Ethiopian Muse Gisachew overtook Kenyan Jonathan Kipkoech Kamosong and won the men’s race of the 100th edition of the São Silvestre International Race today (Dec. 31).

Kamosong had been leading the race comfortably but was overtaken by Gisachew near the finish line on Paulista Avenue in downtown São Paulo. He finished in 44 minutes and 32 seconds, just four seconds behind the winner, who clocked 44 minutes and 28 seconds.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Tanzanian athlete wins women’s race at São Silvestre.
• Brazil celebrates centenary of São Silvestre race.

Brazilian Fábio de Jesus Correia came in third, with a time of 45 minutes and 06 seconds.

Kenyan William Kibor came in fourth, with a time of 45 minutes and 28 seconds. Fellow Kenyan Reuben Logonsiwa Poguisho finished in fifth, with a time of 45 minutes and 46 seconds.

Brazil last won the São Silvestre men’s race in 2010, with Marilson Gomes dos Santos.

The women’s competition at the São Silvestre International Race was won by Tanzanian athlete Sisilia Ginoka Panga, who finished in 51 minutes and 09 seconds. This was Sisilia’s first time competing in the event, which she led from start to finish, maintaining a strong pace and a wide gap over the other athletes.

Kenyan Cynthia Chemweno came in second, repeating the same position as last year. She completed the race in 52 minutes and 30 seconds.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil celebrates centenary of São Silvestre race.

Repeating last year’s result, Brazilian athlete Nubia de Oliveira once again reached the podium, finishing in third place. She completed the race in 52 minutes and 42 seconds.

Fourth place went to Peruvian Gladys Tejeda Pucuhuaranga, while fifth place was claimed by Kenyan Vivian Jeftanui Kiplagati.

Brazil has not topped the São Silvestre podium for almost 20 years. The last Brazilian to win the race was Lucélia Peres, in 2006.

Rio de Janeiro’s New Year’s Eve was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebration, consolidating the city as a global benchmark for New Year’s festivities. The information was released on Tuesday (Dec. 30) by municipal authorities. The record was based on an attendance of 2.5 million people at Copacabana Beach during the turn of 2024 to 2025.

Mayor Eduardo Paes officially received the title on Tuesday (30), on the main stage of the 2026 New Year’s Eve celebrations in Copacabana. The commemorative plaque was presented by Camila Borenstein, a Guinness adjudicator.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Lottery: Year-end Mega da Virada prize estimated at USD 180M.
• New Year's Eve 2025 expected to generate BRL 3.2B for Rio's economy.

Paes said it was an honor to receive the recognition. “We know that no city in the world holds events for so many people and with such frequency as Rio de Janeiro. In addition to the numbers, we must also highlight the qualities of the New Year’s Eve celebration, such as the joy of the cariocas and the musical diversity.”

The title was awarded based on criteria established by Guinness, including the record number of participants, the magnitude of the artistic program, the territorial extent of the event, and its cultural relevance.

Borenstein said that the title was awarded to the city of Rio after the institution received evidence, including drone footage, proving the record attendance of 2.5 million people at the New Year’s Eve celebration. “It is an honor to say that you are part of Guinness and that you are, once again, officially amazing.”

New dimensions

The 2026 New Year’s Eve party in Copacabana will, for the first time, feature new visual dimensions, with unprecedented structures, more technology, and renewed scenography, according to the municipal administration. For the fireworks display, 19 barges will be used along the coastline - almost double the number used in 2024 - delivering a 12-minute pyrotechnic show, the largest ever held in Rio.

The show will also include a display of 1,200 drones in honor of the city, with images synchronized with the fireworks and a special soundtrack by DJ Alok.

Three stages will be set up on the sand at Copacabana, with ten more installed in other areas of the city. In total, more than 70 attractions will liven up the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Rio.

Bets for the Mega da Virada draw, both in person and online, will close at 8 p.m. (Brasília time) this Wednesday (Dec. 31). The estimated prize for this year-end contest is around USD 180.5 million, the largest in the Brazilian lottery’s history.

This special draw takes place annually on New Year’s Eve. Bets can be placed at more than 13,000 lottery outlets nationwide, through the Caixa website, and via the Caixa lottery app. Bank customers can also use internet banking.

The event will take place at 10 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Caixa Lotteries Facebook page and Caixa’s YouTube channel. A simple bet of six numbers costs approximately USD 1.

The Mega da Virada prize does not roll over. If there are no winners in the six-number category, it will be distributed among those who correctly guessed five numbers in the next tier, and so forth.

Since its first edition in 2009, the Mega da Virada has paid out 130 prizes to bets that correctly matched all six numbers.

One of Brazil’s most iconic races reaches its 100th edition this year: the São Silvestre. Created in 1925 by businessman and journalist Cásper Líbero, the competition has spanned a century and established itself as one of the most prestigious sporting events in Brazil and Latin America.

The run has crowned memorable athletes and become a symbol of celebration and community on the streets of São Paulo, attracting thousands of professional and amateur runners with each edition.

Inspired by street races that Cásper Líbero witnessed in Paris, the first edition featured 48 runners. Journalist and executive director of the São Silvestre race, Erick Castelhero, explains that the contest already had one of its most famous characteristics from the very beginning.

“The idea was always to connect the last night of the year with New Year’s Eve and already usher in the new year. Perhaps Cásper did not imagine that [the race] would become what it is today.”

In the early editions, only Brazilian athletes competed. The first winner was Alfredo Gomes. The grandson of enslaved people, he was also the first black Brazilian athlete to take part in the Olympic Games. In 1945, foreign runners began participating in the competition.

Following this change, Brazil went decades without winning the run. The drought ended in 1980 with the historic victory of José João da Silva. A São Paulo Futebol Clube athlete, he recalls the impact of that title, taking the lead in the final meters.

“To tell the truth, I had no idea of the magnitude of the victory. It stopped the country - it was like a World Cup. That victory was a major milestone.”

Five years later, the athlete won the race again, becoming one of the few Brazilians to achieve this feat.

The growth of the São Silvestre race and its competitive level attracted athletes from around the world. Mexican runner María del Carmen Díaz, a three-time São Silvestre champion (1989, 1990, and 1992), trained in a volcanic region near her hometown of Toluca. In São Paulo, she overcame the 30-degree heat to win the first São Silvestre held in the afternoon. She fondly recalls the support of the crowds along the streets:

“I truly admire the Brazilian public because, as I’ve always said, I’ve been more recognized in another country than in Mexico itself. I feel proud because there are runners - men and children alike - who tell me that, because of me, they practice sports and enjoy running.”

It was only from the 51st edition onward that the São Silvestre competition began to include a women’s event. The most successful runner in the São Silvestre is Portuguese athlete Rosa Mota, who achieved six consecutive victories in the early 1980s. The second-highest number of wins was in the men’s event: Kenyan Paul Tergat claimed five victories. Among Brazilian runners, Marílson Gomes dos Santos won three times.

Popular phenomenon

Over the course of a century, the São Silvestre has also become a popular phenomenon. Thousands of amateur athletes from across the country gather on Paulista Avenue to celebrate the New Year, pushing their own limits and sharing a passion for running.

To mark its centenary, this year’s São Silvestre run will be the largest edition in history. Around 55,000 participants are expected, with races for women, men, and people with disabilities, as well as the São Silvestrinha - an event that brings together 2,000 children and teenagers from across the country, forming a new generation passionate about running.

The unemployment rate in the quarter ending in November stood at 5.2 percent, according to data released by the Brazilian government’s statistics agency IBGE.

This is the lowest rate since 2012, as measured by the Continuous National Household Sample Survey (Continuous Pnad).

Notícias relacionadas:

• Unemployment for third quarter of 2025 lowest since 2012: 5.6%.
• Brazilian economy grows 0.1% in third quarter.

According to IBGE, from September to November, 5.6 million people were unemployed - the lowest number ever recorded by the survey.

Throughout the historical series, the largest contingent of unemployed occurred in the quarter ending in March 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when this indicator registered 14.9 million people without formal employment.

Employment

The lowest unemployment rate in the historical series was also accompanied by a new record in employment in the country, at 103.2 million, IBGE data show.

The employment level - that is, the proportion of people aged 14 or older who were working - reached the highest percentage in the historical series of the Continuous Pnad: 59.0 percent.

Two researchers, Letícia Cotrim and Luciana Prado, both from the Faculty of Oceanography at the State University of Rio de Janeiro (Uerj), will act as authors of the report for the seventh Assessment Cycle of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a United Nations body. They are part of the select group of 664 experts from 111 countries chosen by the organization.

According to Uerj, only 18 Brazilian researchers are part of the new IPCC cycle, and the state university is the only Brazilian institution participating with two women, “highlighting both the scientific excellence of the university and the importance of female presence in strategic spaces for the formulation of global policies based on scientific evidence.”

Notícias relacionadas:

• COP30 mobilizes 190 countries across 120 climate action plans.
• Brazil calls for approval of global climate adaptation indicators.

The IPCC report is one of the main international references on the climate crisis, endorsed by all UN signatory countries and used to guide governmental decisions, international agreements, and adaptation and mitigation strategies. The document recommends public policies and actions but does not oblige nations to adopt the measures it contains.

In each assessment cycle, the selected experts analyze the most recent scientific knowledge on topics such as the physical indicators of climate change, its impacts and associated risks, and possible responses through adaptation and mitigation.

The first meeting of the lead authors and coordinators of the three working groups for the seventh cycle took place in the first week of December in Paris.

The three IPCC working groups address key dimensions of climate change. Working Group 1 focuses on the physical basis of climate; Working Group 2 analyzes impacts, vulnerabilities, and adaptation; and Working Group 3 covers greenhouse gas mitigation. The seventh Assessment Cycle will conclude in 2028 with the release of the Synthesis Report.

As a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Brazil can nominate scientists to serve on the panel, with the IPCC selecting candidates based on their area of expertise, specialties, and scientific output. Professors Letícia Cotrim and Luciana Prado were chosen, respectively, as coordinating author and lead author of Working Group 1.

Letícia Cotrim, from the Department of Chemical Oceanography, previously served as a lead author in the sixth Assessment Cycle (2018–2021). She is now one of the three coordinating authors of Chapter 4, which covers advances in understanding Earth system processes and climate-related changes.

“Within the scope outlined by the IPCC for this chapter, aspects of the functioning of terrestrial, marine, and coastal ecosystems, as well as their interactions with the atmosphere and cryosphere (polar and high-mountain regions with glaciers), are included,” explains the professor.

For Luciana Prado, from the Department of Physical Oceanography and Meteorology, being selected to join the IPCC represents an important milestone in her career, given the large number of applications worldwide for the seventh cycle. The professor explains that she will contribute to Chapter 2, which will describe climate changes observed in recent decades from a global perspective - a kind of global diagnosis.

“My role involves compiling studies on past climates; it is paleoclimatology. By examining these situations, we can better understand how the climate system works and make more accurate future projections,” adds Prado.

The next meeting of the IPCC authors is scheduled to take place in April 2026 in Santiago, Chile.

The house arrests of eight of the 10 convicts in the coup plot ocurred in Brasília were upheld after a hearing held on Saturday (Dec. 27) by auxiliary judge Luciana Yuki Fugishita Sorrentino, from the office of Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

The hearings aimed to fulfill legal formalities, as the arrests had already been ordered by Moraes, the rapporteur for the coup plot cases at the Supreme Court. Among those who participated in the custody hearings were six Army officers, a senior official of the Federal Police, and Filipe Martins, a former international affairs adviser to former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Christmas pardon decree leaves out coup plotters.
• Lula pledges to veto bill that softens penalties for attempted coup.
• Supreme Court concludes coup plot trial; 29 convicted.

Carlos Cesar Moretzsohn Rocha, president of Instituto Voto Legal, was not located by the Federal Police and is considered a fugitive. The house arrest warrant against Army Lieutenant Colonel Guilherme Marques de Almeida was also not served. He traveled to Bahia but committed to returning to Goiânia to begin serving the measure.

Escapes

The house arrests were ordered by Moraes as a preventive measure against further escapes. On Friday (26), former Federal Highway Police director Silvinei Vasques was detained by local authorities after fleeing to Paraguay and attempting to board a flight to El Salvador with a false passport.

According to Moraes, there is a coordinated strategy among individuals convicted of coup-related offenses to leave the country. The justice pointed to multiple escape cases, including that of former Representative Alexandre Ramagem to the United States.

“The modus operandi of the criminal organization convicted by the Supreme Court indicates the possibility of planning and executing escapes outside the national territory, as carried out by the defendant Alexandre Ramagem, including with the help of third parties,” Justice Moraes stated.

A report by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), an organ linked to the Organization of American States (OAS), stated that Brazil has “strong and effective” democratic institutions and dismissed claims of censorship in the country.

According to the report, prepared after a technical visit to the country in February of this year and released on Friday (Dec. 26), the Brazilian state holds free and fair elections, maintains the separation of powers, and operates under the rule of law, with constitutional guarantees for the protection of human rights. The IACHR also affirms that there is judicial autonomy and a fully functioning system of checks and balances.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Lula slams US sanctions, says Brazil is staunch champion for democracy.

The document contradicted the narrative promoted by allies of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who had sought to convince the international community that there was political persecution and restrictions on freedom of expression in Brazil.

The text also acknowledges that the country has experienced deliberate attempts to delegitimize the 2022 election results, as well as the planning and execution of an attempted coup d’état. In this context, the commission assesses that the defense of democracy is an essential condition for the full exercise of freedom of expression.

“The defense of democracy in Brazil is also a fundamental component of the defense of the right to freedom of expression, since freedom of expression requires a democratic society to be fully exercised,” the report emphasizes.

The IACHR Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Pedro Vaca Villarreal, was in Brazil in February and met with Bolsonaro, Supreme Court justices, government officials, and representatives of civil society. At the time, the meeting with the former president took place amid pressure from conservative lawmakers in the United States for the OAS to adopt a tougher stance against decisions by the Brazilian Supreme Court.

Warnings to the Judiciary

Despite rejecting the censorship argument, the IACHR makes recommendations and issues warnings to the Brazilian Judiciary, especially the Supreme Court. The document acknowledges the Court’s “fundamental role” in investigating and containing attacks on democratic institutions but points to concerns about the risk of excessive concentration of power.

“Although the defense of democracy should underpin the state’s actions, there is a risk of transforming a temporary solution, intended to be exceptional, into a lasting problem,” the text states, mentioning the possibility of creating precedents that could be used by authoritarian regimes in the future.

The document makes the following recommendations to the Brazilian Judiciary:

• Decisions regarding the removal of content on social media should be duly justified and communicated to the platforms and affected users;
• Restrictions on freedom of expression should not be based on vague concepts such as “information disorder” or “decontextualized information”;
• The category of “anti-democratic acts” should not be used to limit legitimate criticism of authorities.

Advocacy for regulation

The report also argues for the need to regulate digital platforms, provided that international human rights standards are respected. The IACHR recommends the creation of legal frameworks to address the challenges of the digital environment and the use of artificial intelligence.

The document, however, stressed that platforms should not be automatically held responsible for third-party content, provided they fulfill adequate moderation duties.

Overall, the OAS report reinforces the assessment that Brazil faces challenges related to freedom of expression, but within a democratic institutional environment and far from any scenario of censorship.

Political reactions

The Brazilian government assessed that the report reinforces the absence of censorship in the country and does not open the door to international sanctions against Brazilian authorities. The minister-chief of the Secretariat of Institutional Relations, Gleisi Hoffmann, welcomed the document’s content and stated that it dismantles the narrative that Brazil is living in a “dictatorship.”

“The international recognition of the truth about the coup is yet another victory for Brazilian Justice and democracy as 2025 comes to a close, and a reminder to remain vigilant against any attempt at amnesty or sentence reductions for convicted coup plotters,” Hoffmann posted on the social network X on Sunday (28).

Allies of former president Jair Bolsonaro also attempted to interpret the report in their favor. Senator Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media that the document confirms criticisms raised by the opposition, pointing to risks associated with concepts such as hate speech and disinformation.

“My interpretation of the report is that ‘hate speech’ and ‘disinformation’ are used to persecute predetermined targets, that democracy in Brazil is relative, and that there is no longer parliamentary immunity for right-wing politicians,” the senator wrote on X on Friday (26).

An atmospheric block is causing a severe heatwave affecting several Brazilian states at the end of this year. Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) has issued a danger alert for the entire states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, and portions of Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná, and Santa Catarina.

The phenomenon is causing temperatures to reach up to five degrees Celsius above normal for this time of year in all of these areas.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Ex-director of Brazil’s Federal Highway Police arrested in Paraguay.
• Brazil holds first flight of “flying car” prototype.
• S. Korean rocket explodes on takeoff at Brazil’s Alcântara Base.

Here are the weather forecasts for each affected state:

São Paulo – The entire state of São Paulo is under a severe weather alert. The state capital, inland areas, and coastline should see temperatures from 34 to 35 ºC. In the afternoon, the capital will be mostly cloudy with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.

Rio de Janeiro – The entire state of Rio de Janeiro is also under a severe danger alert. The heatwave will affect the state capital, the entire metropolitan area, the coast, and inland areas. Temperatures are expected to reach 39 °C. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are a possibility in the afternoon.

Espírito Santo – The southern part of the state is under red alert. Temperatures in Cachoeiro do Itapemirim will reach 34 °C. No chance of rain.

Goiás – Southern Goiás, near the borders of Minas Gerais and Mato Grosso do Sul, will experience intense heat. Itumbiara will reach 34 °C. No chance of rain.

Minas Gerais – Intense heat in the Triângulo Mineiro region. Temperatures in Uberlândia should reach 33 ºC. No rain.

Mato Grosso do Sul – Heat reaches the east of the state. Temperatures in Três Lagoas will reach 36 ºC. No chance of rain.

Paraná – The northwest and central areas of the state can expect intense heat. The temperature in Curitiba, the state capital, will reach 31 °C. There is a chance of isolated showers in the afternoon. Londrina will see temperatures of 34 °C with a chance of rain and thunderstorms.

Santa Catarina – The severe weather warning also applies to northern Santa Catarina, reaching the city of Joinville, where temperatures may reach 32 °C.

The former director of Brazil’s Federal Highway Police, Silvinei Vasques, was arrested in Paraguay on early Friday morning (Dec. 26).

Sentenced by the country’s Supreme Court to 24 years and six months in prison for his involvement in the coup plot aimed at keeping onetime President Jair Bolsonaro in power after his electoral defeat in 2022, he was arrested at an airport in Paraguay while attempting to board a flight to El Salvador.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Lula calls for South American cooperation against organized crime.
• Lower house ousts representatives Eduardo Bolsonaro and Ramagem.
• New law expands protection for sex crime victims in Brazil.

According to the prosecution, Vasques participated in a group that coordinated the use of police forces to support Bolsonaro’s illegitimate permanence, ordering agents to set up checkpoints that would hinder voters on their way to the polls to vote for then-candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the second round of the 2022 elections, held on October 30 of that year.

Vasques is also said to have attended the meeting of October 19, 2022, in which the use of highway police operations to prevent voters from voting in the second round was discussed. He is credited with the phrase, “the time had come for the Federal Highway Police to pick a side in the dispute.”

During the trial of the former police director and other defendants in the so-called Nucleus 2 of the criminal case involving the coup plot, by the first panel of the Supreme Court, on December 9, Vasques’ lawyers argued he did not act to prevent Lula’s voters from traveling to the polls in the second round of the 2022 elections.

Vasques had his preventive arrest ruled in August 2023 and spent a year in custody until Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes granted him provisional release upon compliance with a series of precautionary measures – such as the use of an ankle tag and the cancellation of his passport.

In a report published on the G1 website, journalist Andréia Sadi attributes to the current director of the Federal Police, Andrei Rodrigues, the information that Vasques left Brazil without judicial authorization after breaking his ankle tag. When approached and arrested by Paraguayan authorities, Vasques reportedly had an original Paraguayan passport with false personal information.

The Federal Police were reached by our team and had not commented on the information reported by G1 as of the publication of this article.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday morning (Dec. 24) was admitted to Brasília’s DF Star Hospital, where he will undergo surgery to treat an inguinal hernia. The procedure is slated to take place on Thursday (25), following recommendations from private doctors and experts from the Federal Police.

Bolsonaro, who is serving a sentence of 27 years and three months in prison after being convicted of conspiracy to overthrow the government, was authorized to undergo the procedure by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, of the Federal Supreme Court.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Report confirms Bolsonaro used soldering iron to break ankle tag.
• Justice Moraes: Meetings with Central Bank discussed Magnitsky Act.
• Supreme Court recognizes existence of structural racism in Brazil.

Escorted by officers from the Federal Police headquarters in Brasília to the hospital, the former president was admitted around 9:30 am, accompanied by former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro.

During the day, Bolsonaro is expected to undergo preoperative tests, his defense attorneys said.

Throughout his hospitalization, surveillance will be maintained 24 hours a day, with two agents stationed at the door of his room, in addition to other teams inside and outside the hospital, as determined by the Supreme Court justice.