The Release of Brazil’s Ex-President, Lula
After 18 months in jail, ex-president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula de Silva, commonly known as Lula, was released on Friday, November 8th, 2019
After 18 months in jail, ex-president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula de Silva, commonly known as Lula, was released on Friday, November 8th, 2019
Brazil’s former President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has been in the media’s spotlight for quite some time. President for two terms, from January 1, 2001 to 2011, he was once one of Brazil’s most popular presidents. Coming from a humble background, Lula was born into poverty. He trained to be a metal worker outside of São Paulo and became involved in activism through work with the trade union. After being elected leader of the metal workers’ trade union, it was only a short time until he helped to create Brazil’s first major socialist party, the Worker’s Party.
In the context of the massive investigation that may end decimating the Brazilian political elite, Judge Sérgio Moro initiated a new judicial process against former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
In the month of March, millions of Brazilians took to the street to protest the current president, Dilma Rousseff, and her political party, the Workers Party (PT). Last year, when the Lava-Jato scandal broke out, many politicians in her current cabinet were investigated and charged with money laundering. While Dilma was never formally indicted on any charges of involvement in the massive money laundering scheme, she was, nevertheless, put on trial for impeachment.