BRASÍLIA DAILY — 22 MARCH 2026
Lula Condemns U.S. "Neo-Colonialism" at Bogotá Summit; EBC President Signs Shanghai Media Pact on TV 3.0 Transfer; PGR Charges Almeida with Sexual Harassment; Simone Tebet Joins PSB for São Paulo Senate Race
Lula Condemns U.S. Colonialism at Bogotá CELAC Summit, Warns of Neoextractivism
President Lula criticized U.S. 'colonial policies' toward Cuba and Venezuela at the X CELAC Summit and I CELAC-Africa Forum in Bogotá, stating 'someone cannot think they own other countries' and warning that wars by rich nations aim to prevent developing-country growth. He also called for cooperation against 'neoextractivist' exploitation of strategic minerals.
Brazil Monitoring War Impact on Medicine Supply Chain, Padilha Warns
Health Minister Alexandre Padilha stated Brazil is monitoring potential Middle East war disruptions to global pharmaceutical distribution networks, warning that conflict threatens medication availability and 'can affect the global distribution chain.'
G7 Vows to Guarantee Hormuz Oil Flow as Brazil Monitors Energy Security
Ministers from the G7 countries pledged to safeguard oil supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating Iran conflict. Brazil separately advocated creation of strategic petroleum stockpile to insulate from global shocks.
Simone Tebet Leaves MDB After 29 Years, Joins PSB for Senate Run in São Paulo
Planning Minister Simone Tebet confirmed filiação to PSB on March 21 to run for Senate in São Paulo as part of Fernando Haddad's gubernatorial ticket, ending 29-year MDB membership.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: President LULA delivered 21 March a sharply worded critique at the CELAC-Africa Forum in Bogotá, condemning what he termed U.S. "neo-colonialism" toward Cuba and Venezuela and expressing "indignation" at UN Security Council "passivity" over ongoing wars — the speech marked Brazil's most direct rhetorical challenge to Washington since the Iran conflict began. Empresa Brasil de Comunicação (EBC) President André BASBAUM signed 21 March a cooperation agreement with Shanghai Media Group during a Beijing visit focused on TV 3.0 technology transfer, according to Agência Brasil. Procuradoria-Geral da República (PGR) filed 21 March criminal charges against former Human Rights Minister Silvio ALMEIDA for sexual harassment of current Racial Equality Minister Anielle FRANCO, a case now under seal at the STF — ALMEIDA's defense denied the accusations and stated it has not been granted access to the complaint. Planning Minister Simone TEBET confirmed 21 March her affiliation to the PSB to compete for a Senate seat in São Paulo on the ticket of ex-Finance Minister Fernando HADDAD, the PT gubernatorial pre-candidate — TEBET had been an MDB member since 1997 but the São Paulo MDB is aligned with incumbent Governor Tarcísio de FREITAS. END SUMMARY.
