Rio de Janeiro prosecutors ended 2025 with impressive figures in its financial fight against criminal organizations in the state. As a result of the work of their Special Action Group to Combat Organized Crime (GAECO) throughout the year, the judiciary was asked to freeze over BRL 906 million in assets linked to criminal individuals and organizations.

To this end, the group refined its investigation methods, expanded the exchange of information on national and transnational financial crimes, and forged partnerships to broaden the scope of its efforts.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Lula calls for South American cooperation against organized crime.
• Brazil sets up police unit to tackle organized crime.

A case in point is the Technical Cooperation Agreement, signed by Rio’s prosecution service with the Civil Police in March last year, with the aim of expanding the application of asset forfeiture in cases involving illicit wealth – a vital tool for tracking, freezing, and recovering illicit assets.

According to GAECO’s coordinator, prosecutor Letícia Petriz, the impact of these initiatives goes beyond numbers.

“The financial suffocation of criminal organizations strikes at their core, weakening their ability to operate and expand. GAECO’s actions are strategically geared toward undermining the economic power of these groups, especially through asset investigations and the application of extended confiscation, which makes it possible to remove illicitly obtained funds from criminal activity and prevent their reintroduction into the economic circuit,” she declared.

Complaints

In 2025, the special group filed 70 complaints against 767 individuals – including 120 public officials – and obtained court orders that supported 39 operations aimed at enforcing arrest orders and search-and-seizure warrants.

Among the main actions carried out throughout the year, the prosecutors acted to exercise arrest orders and search-and-seizure warrants against members of a criminal organization operating in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais that stole crude oil from Transpetro (a subsidiary of Petrobras) and participated in joint actions with prosecutors from other states – such as Operation Carbono Oculto (“Hidden Carbon”), launched by São Paulo prosecutors against a billion-dollar scheme involving fuel adulteration and illegal distribution.

Digital environment

“The creation of CyberGAECO represents a strategic step towards modernizing investigations, given the growing activity of criminal organizations in the digital environment. The experience of other prosecution offices with similar structures shows that specialization is essential to increase the effectiveness of investigations, especially in crimes involving technology, cryptocurrencies, and money laundering,” Letícia Petriz said.

In 2025, Brazil registered its best year for international tourism, with 9,287,196 foreign tourist arrivals. This represents a 37.1 percent increase compared to 2024, which had previously held the historical record with approximately 6.7 million international visitors.

In addition to surpassing the previous year’s performance, the country also exceeded the target set in the National Tourism Plan (PNT) 2024–2027. The projection for 2025 was 6.9 million international arrivals, a figure that was exceeded by 34.6 percent.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil unveils Mercosur Football Tourist Route.

In December 2025, Brazil registered an 11 percent increase in international tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2024. In total, 896,488 foreign visitors arrived at destinations across the country, approximately 90,000 more than in the same month of the previous year.

This result consolidated December as the fourth-best month of the year in terms of international arrivals, behind January, February, and March.

Destination

According to the Ministry of Tourism, São Paulo was the largest gateway for foreigners to Brazil, with 2,753,869 international visitors, followed by Rio de Janeiro, with 2,196,443, and Rio Grande do Sul, which received 1,535,806 tourists over the year.

Origin

Among the source markets, Argentina maintained its absolute leadership, with 3,386,823 tourists, reaffirming the strength of regional tourism and South American integration. Chile ranked second, with 801,921 visitors, followed by the United States, which accounted for 759,637 arrivals in Brazil in 2025. Travelers from European countries such as France, Portugal, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Spain together totaled 1,274,567 visitors to Brazil.

Petrobras confirmed that there has been a leak during drilling 175 kilometers from Amapá state, on the Brazilian Equatorial Margin. The leak was identified last Sunday (Jan. 4). Since then, activities have been halted at the site. The company has not yet announced when activities will resume.

In a statement, the state-run company says it “has taken all necessary control measures and notified the relevant authorities. The fluid used complies with permitted toxicity limits and is biodegradable, so there is no harm to the environment or people.”

Notícias relacionadas:

• Petrobras granted environmental license to explore Equatorial Margin.
• Brazil’s Science Academy urges further research into Equatorial Margin.

According to the oil giant, what happened was a loss of drilling fluid in two auxiliary lines connecting the drilling rig to the Morpho well.

Drilling fluid is used to clean and lubricate the drill bit during the drilling of oil and gas wells. The substance mixes water, clay, and chemicals. The compound helps control well pressure and prevent wall collapse.

The company states that “there are no problems with the rig or the well, which remain in a completely safe condition. The incident also poses no risk to the safety of the drilling operation.”

The Morpho well is located in an exploratory block (FZA-M-059) about 175 kilometers off the coast of Amapá state and 500 kilometers from the mouth of the Amazon river.

Pressured by the growth of imports and lower commodity prices (primary goods with international pricing), Brazil’s trade balance ended 2025 with a smaller surplus than in 2024, despite recording the best result for a December since 1989. Last year, exports exceeded imports by USD 68.293 billion, a 7.9 percent decrease compared to the surplus registered in 2024.

The figures were released on Tuesday (Jan. 6) by the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services. Despite the setback, this was the third-largest annual trade surplus since the beginning of the time series, in 1989.

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• Lula celebrates trade with 500 new markets in agriculture.
• Surge of 28.6% in Brazil’s exports to China offsets US tariffs.

Both exports and imports hit record highs. Even with US tariffs and the fall in commodity prices, especially oil, sales abroad totaled USD 348.676 billion, a 3.5 percent increase compared to 2024.

Benefiting from economic growth, however, imports increased at a faster pace. Last year, Brazil bought USD 280.382 billion from abroad, a 6.7 percent increase.

Resilience

In a press conference, Brazil’s Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services Geraldo Alckmin said that the country’s foreign trade grew in 2025, even with tariffs and geopolitical difficulties.

“Our export volume grew by 5.7 percent. Global trade grew by 2.4 percent. So, we grew more than twice as much as global trade. This shows the resilience and good competitiveness of Brazilian products,” declared Alckmin.

In December, the trade balance registered a surplus of USD 9.633 billion, a 107.8 percent increase compared to the same month in 2024. This was the highest result for the month in the time series, which began in 1989, surpassing the previous record surplus of USD 9.323 billion in December 2023. Imports also reached a record value for the month.

The value of exports and imports in December was as follows:
Exports: USD 31.038 billion, a 24.7 percent increase compared to December of last year;
Imports: USD 21.405 billion, up 5.7 percent compared to the same period last year.

Products

The main products responsible for the growth in exports in December were: non-monetary gold (up 88.7%), soybeans (up 73.9%), crude oil (up 74%), and beef (up 70.5%).

“The bombings on Venezuelan territory and the kidnapping of its president cross an unacceptable line. These acts represent a very serious affront to Venezuela’s sovereignty and threaten the international community with an extremely dangerous precedent,” said Brazil’s representative to the OAS on Tuesday (Jan. 6).

During the extraordinary meeting of the OAS Permanent Council to discuss the United States’ military action in Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro last Saturday (3), Benoni Belli stated that the current moment is serious and recalls periods thought to be outdated, but which are once again affecting Latin America and the Caribbean.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil to monitor health conditions along Venezuela border.
• Brazil at UN: US action in Venezuela threatens peace in South America.

According to the diplomat, military aggression leads to a world in which the law of the strongest prevails over multilateralism. “We cannot accept the argument that the ends justify the means. This line of reasoning lacks legitimacy and opens the door to granting the strongest the right to define what is just or unjust, what is right or wrong, and to disregard national sovereignties by dictating the decisions the weakest must make. International sovereignty, upheld by international law and multilateral institutions, is essential for peoples to exercise their self-determination,” Belli stated.

In an emergency meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council on Monday (5), Brazilian Ambassador Sérgio Danese also said that it is not acceptable to argue that the ends justify the means in the United States’ armed intervention in Venezuela.

Three Kings’ Day, celebrated this Tuesday (Jan. 6), marks a centuries-old tradition in Brazilian popular culture – the passage of revelers through the streets, bringing together groups of singers and musicians chanting lines in honor of the three wise men: Balthazar, Melchior, and Caspar. Portuguese in its origin, the Folia de Reis, or Reisado, was brought to Brazil during the colonial period.

In various cities across the country, they go from house to house wearing costumes and masks and performing dances and songs with multiple string instruments, accordions, and percussion. Some groups have characters – kings, clowns, and bastions – who visit the homes of the faithful.

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• Christmas pardon decree leaves out coup plotters.
• Publicly and at home, Brazilians keep nativity scene tradition alive.

Converted into saints by the Catholic Church, Belchior, Caspar, and Baltazar are said to have left the East guided by a star and carrying three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh – symbolizing royalty, immortality, and spirituality. For devotees, the date of the arrival of the three wise men at their destination marks the end of the Christmas celebrations, which begin four Sundays before December 25, the day attributed to the birth of Jesus Christ.

Thus, January 6 marks the moment when the three wise men visit the newborn Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, an ancient city currently located in Palestine. On this day, nativity scenes, trees, and other Christmas decorations are also taken down.

The Brazilian Ministry of Health has sent a team from the National Force of the country’s public healthcare network, the SUS, to Roraima, a state bordering Venezuela. The objective is to assess health infrastructure, personnel, vaccines, and other supplies.

In a statement, the ministry said it is structuring a contingency plan for the SUS’s response to a “possible worsening of the international crisis and an increase in migrant demand in the border region” following an attack by the US government.

Notícias relacionadas:

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

“To date, the migratory flow in the region remains unchanged,” the ministry highlighted in the declaration.

The statement noted that the teams sent to Roraima have extensive experience in disaster situations and are identifying hospital infrastructure and assessing the possibility of expansion.

If necessary, the government informed that it will set up field hospitals and expand existing structures to reduce the impact on the Brazilian public health system.

The Ministry of Health also stated that it is making itself available to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to provide humanitarian aid, including the supply of medicines and dialysis materials, after the main distribution center in the city of La Guaira, Venezuela, was destroyed in an attack.

“The Ministry of Health reaffirms the role of the SUS as an international reference in guaranteeing comprehensive medical assistance to all people on national soil. For immigrants in border cities, this right is ensured regardless of migratory status or nationality,” the statement concluded.

The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) sent a letter to the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference expressing solidarity with the current situation in the country following the attack led by the US government.

The text was published on social media and describes the situation in the neighboring country as one marked by tensions, suffering, and uncertainties affecting the people.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil at UN: US action in Venezuela threatens peace in South America.
• Protest in São Paulo calls for Maduro’s release, Venezuelan autonomy.

“We come together spiritually in your prayers and pastoral initiatives, expressing our solidarity with the victims of violence, the wounded, and the bereaved families,” the note reads.

“As pastors of the Church in Latin America, we share the pain of the suffering people and renew our hope in the power of the Gospel of unarmed and disarming peace,” the statement goes on to say.

In the letter, the Brazilian conference cites sincere dialogue, justice, and respect for human dignity and the sovereignty of nations as the only way to promote the common good, in addition to “strengthening democracy and building a social coexistence marked by reconciliation and lasting peace.”

“May the Holy Spirit continue to sustain the prophetic mission of the Church in Venezuela, granting serenity, wisdom, and strength to all, and leading the Venezuelan people along the paths of unity and hope,” the message says.

Interventions

Last Saturday (Jan. 3), several explosions were reported in neighborhoods of the Venezuelan capital Caracas. Amid the military attack orchestrated by US, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were captured by US elite forces and taken to New York.

The raid marks a new episode of direct US interventions in Latin America. The last time the US invaded a Latin American country was in 1989, in Panama, when the military kidnapped then-President Manuel Noriega, accusing him of drug trafficking.

As they did with Noriega, the US accuses Maduro of leading an alleged Venezuelan cartel called De Los Soles, without presenting any evidence. Experts in international drug trafficking question the existence of the cartel.

Critics see the action as a geopolitical measure to distance Venezuela from global adversaries of the US – such as China and Russia – as well as to exercise greater control over the oil of a country that boasts the largest proven oil reserves on the planet.

Unions and social movements held a demonstration on Monday afternoon (Jan. 5) in São Paulo, demanding the release of Nicolás Maduro. The protest took place in front of the United States Consulate.

Participants advocated for the autonomy of the neighboring country, the pursuit of peace, and respect and solidarity with the Venezuelan government and its people.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil at UN: US action in Venezuela threatens peace in South America.

“We came to this rally today not only to demonstrate our solidarity with the Venezuelan people, but also to express the position of working-class students regarding imperialist attacks, especially those by the United States. Imperialism, regardless of the country, seeks to dominate nations, particularly those on the periphery of capitalism,” said student Bianca Mondeja, a member of the leadership of the National Union of Students (UNE).

The student organization considers a people’s “capacity for self-determination” to be “non-negotiable.”

For Professor Luana Bife, who is affiliated with the Unified Workers’ Central (CUT), the United States’ action against Venezuela constitutes “interference that destabilizes a country socially and economically.” She warned that, just one day after the invasion of Venezuela, Trump was already reiterating the possibility of military action against other countries. “Our central position is the self-determination of peoples,” she reaffirmed.

Gilmar Mauro, a member of the National Coordination of the Landless Rural Workers Movement (MST), called for the immediate release of President Maduro. “We are here in solidarity with the Venezuelan people, in defense of sovereignty, and demanding the immediate release of President Maduro. In truth, it is the continent and democracies around the world that are under threat,” he emphasized.

Mauro said there are about 60 MST members in Venezuela today and that, among the movement’s members, there is a perception of a resurgence in popular mobilizations in the country.

“For many people who are not with us in the streets, this has generated indignation and a patriotic sentiment that is effectively surfacing at this moment. This is happening even within Venezuela, including among sectors of the Venezuelan right, and we are witnessing this within the United States as well,” he stated.

The Brazilian government again condemned the armed action by the United States against Venezuela, as well as the alleged kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores last Saturday (Jan. 3).

During an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Monday (5), Ambassador Sérgio França Danese said that peace in South America is at risk.

Notícias relacionadas:

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

According to the diplomat, previous armed interventions on the continent resulted in authoritarian regimes, human rights violations, deaths, political imprisonment, torture, and enforced disappearances.

“The use of force in our region evokes chapters of history that we believed we had left behind and jeopardizes the collective effort to preserve the region as a zone of peace,” Danese declared.

“We reaffirm, with full determination, our commitment to peace and non-intervention in our region,” he added.

Unacceptable line

For Brazil, the United States crossed an “unacceptable line” from the standpoint of international law. Danese stated that the US action clearly violates United Nations norms.

“The UN Charter establishes, as a pillar of the international order, the prohibition of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any nation, except in strictly foreseen circumstances. These norms do not allow the exploitation of natural or economic resources to justify the use of force or the illegal change of a government,” Danese said.

The Brazilian representative noted that Venezuela’s future must be decided exclusively by its people, through dialogue and without external interference, within the framework of international law.

“The multipolar world of the 21st century, which promotes peace and prosperity, should not be confused with spheres of influence. We cannot accept the argument that the ends justify the means,” Danese stressed.

Oil and natural gas production in Brazil reached 4.921 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) in November 2025. A total of 3.773 million barrels per day (bbl/d) of oil were extracted, representing a 6.4 percent decrease compared to the previous month and a 13.9 percent increase compared to the same month in 2024.

Natural gas production stood at 182.57 million cubic meters per day (m³/d), representing a 6.3 percent shrinkage compared to October and a 15.7 percent surge compared to November 2024.

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• Oil revenues will be used for energy transition, says Lula.
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The data can be found in the monthly bulletin on oil and natural gas production, released Monday (Jan. 5) by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (ANP).

Pre-salt

As for pre-salt numbers, oil and natural gas production in the same month stood at 3.913 million boe/d – representing 79.6 percent of the amount produced in Brazil.

“Production fell by 8.5 percent compared to the previous month and grew by 15.6 percent compared to the same month in 2024,” the report reads.

Of the total, 3.024 million bbl/d is oil and 141.27 million m³/d is natural gas from 178 wells.

Utilization

According to the ANP, also in November, natural gas utilization reached 96.9 percent. A total of 61.87 million m³/d was made available to the market, and 5.71 million m³/d was flared.

“There was a five percent increase in flaring compared to the previous month and an 8.1 percent reduction compared to November 2024,” the agency added.

Offshore fields

Most of the oil (97.7%) and natural gas (85.7%) production is said to have stemmed from offshore fields.

“The fields operated by Petrobras – either alone or in consortium with other companies – accounted for 89.35 percent of total production,” said the ANP, adding that production came from 6,082 wells – of which 539 offshore and 5,543 onshore.

Highest production

The field that produced the most oil in November 2025 was Búzios, in the pre-salt layer of the Santos Basin, which recorded 744,300 bbl/d. In natural gas, the Mero field ranked first, also in the Santos Basin, with 40.80 million m³/d.

The facilities with the highest oil production were the FPSO (floating production, storage, and offloading) unit Almirante Tamandaré, in the Búzios Field, with 239,453 bbl/d); and for gas, the Marechal Duque de Caxias FPSO, in the Mero field, with 12.83 million m³/d.

On Sunday evening (Jan. 4), Brazil’s The Secret Agent won the award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards. The flick was up against Left-Handed Girl, It Was Just an Accident, Belén, Sirāt, and No Other Choice.

Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho and starring Wagner Moura, The Secret Agent has been highly praised by Brazilian and international critics and was extremely well received at festivals over the last few months.

Notícias relacionadas:

• “The Secret Agent” and Wagner Moura nominated for Golden Globes.

The production also competed in the Best Actor category with Wagner Moura, but actor Timothée Chalamet won with Marty Supreme. Competing with Moura in this category were actors Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), and Michael B. Jordan (Sinners).

Golden Globes and Oscars

The Critics Choice Awards are considered a bellwether for the Oscars, to take place on March 15. In addition to the award for Best Foreign Language Film, The Secret Agent may compete for Best Casting.

In December, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the preliminary list of nominees in 12 categories for the 98th Oscars. The final list of Oscar nominees will be revealed on January 22.

The next challenge for Kleber Mendonça Filho’s feature is the 2026 Golden Globes, next Sunday (11). The movie is nominated in the categories of Best Foreign Language Film and Best Drama Film. Wagner Moura is nominated for Best Actor.

Last year, actress Fernanda Torres won the Golden Globe for Best Actress for her performance in I’m Still Here.

*Paula Laboissière contributed to this article.

Petrobras began oil production on December 31 from the P-78 floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel in the Búzios Field, in the pre-salt layer of the Santos Basin. With the capacity to produce 180,000 barrels of oil and 7.2 million cubic meters of gas per day, the FPSO will increase the field’s installed production capacity to approximately 1.15 million barrels of oil per day.

Furthermore, the operation will allow gas to be exported to the mainland via an interconnection with the Rota 3 gas pipeline in Itaboraí, Rio de Janeiro, expanding Brazil’s gas supply by up to 3 million cubic meters per day.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Oil revenues will be used for energy transition, says Lula.
• New pre‑salt oil platform can boost production by 20%.

“With the first oil from P-78, we are starting the year by advancing toward our main goal for 2026: increasing Petrobras’ oil and gas production. We project producing 2.5 million barrels of oil per day throughout this year, and a large part of that will come from Búzios, the country’s largest field in terms of reserves and production. In addition, we are expanding the supply of natural gas to the Brazilian market, another goal outlined in our Business Plan,” said Petrobras President Magda Chambriard.

According to Petrobras, the platform is equipped with technologies aimed at emissions reduction and greater operational efficiency, including an exhaust gas recovery system, variable-speed drives for pumps and compressors, and energy integration between hot and cold streams in oil and gas processing.

The P-78 is the seventh platform in operation in the Búzios Field, the largest in Brazil in terms of reserves, which surpassed the mark of 1 million barrels per day in October 2025. Discovered in 2010, the field is located 180 kilometers off the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in the ultra-deep waters of the Santos Basin, at a depth of more than 2,000 meters.

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.