Lula back in headlines as Brazil shifts post-Bolsonaro, Mercosur, and EU deals swirl; ex-metalworker, ex-president, lifelong leftist.
Since Monday, torrential rains in Minas Gerais, Brazil, have caused severe flooding and landslides in Juiz de Fora and Uba, killing at least 46 people and displacing around 3,600 residents. Rescue operations continue amid ongoing heavy rain forecasts. Authorities declared a state of emergency and are relocating vulnerable families to shelters while warning of further risks.
Brazilian ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, serving a 27-year sentence for coup attempt, is hospitalized with pneumonia and kidney issues. His condition has improved but remains serious. Bolsonaro has a history of health problems and is seeking house arrest. The case continues to attract political attention.
Brazil, despite its large critical minerals reserves, is hesitant to accept a U.S. proposal for a bilateral agreement, citing a desire to retain control over its resources. The U.S. has sought to invest in Brazilian projects, but diplomatic tensions and Brazil's insistence on sovereignty have hindered progress.
Brazilian police conducted a raid in Rio's Prazeres favela, killing Claudio Augusto dos Santos, a Red Command leader. The operation involved 150 officers, and retaliation included arson and roadblocks. The police face scrutiny over tactics amid ongoing violence linked to organized crime.
Ramagem, a former Brazilian lawmaker sentenced to 16 years for involvement in the 2023 coup attempt, has been detained in Orlando after fleeing Brazil. He used spy software to monitor opponents and was stripped of his mandates. His arrest follows cooperation between US and Brazilian law enforcement, raising concerns over political persecution and asylum.
Romuald Wadagni has won Benin's presidential election with 94.27% of the vote, succeeding Patrice Talon who is stepping down after two terms. The election featured limited opposition due to legal restrictions, with main rival Renaud Agbodjo barred from running. Wadagni faces challenges including a jihadist insurgency in northern Benin and demands to improve social services and security.
Venezuelan opposition leader Machado has visited Spain, meeting with opposition figures and avoiding talks with the government. She has received a warm welcome from conservative leaders, highlighting divisions within Venezuelan politics and contrasting her approach with that of the Spanish government, which emphasizes democratic sovereignty.
Polls across Brazil, Colombia and Peru show tightening races ahead of upcoming elections. In Brazil, Lula and Bolsonaro remain neck and neck ahead of the October vote, with second-round dynamics shaping expectations. In Colombia, Cepeda leads in a potential June runoff, while Peru’s Fujimori and Sanchez are running closely in the first-round aftermath.
The EU has provisionally applied the EU-Mercosur trade pact amid domestic opposition, with tariffs set to fall on most bilateral trade. Final ratification remains pending the EU judiciary's ruling; the bloc cites potential GDP gains while critics warn of farming disruption and environmental risks. Leaders are coordinating Friday to mark the milestone as negotiators push for full implementation.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has met President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. They have held private talks and a working lunch, agreed to set up trade and security talks, and have established a working group to negotiate tariffs, critical minerals and organised crime cooperation.