Brazil

Comrades of the Revolutionary Communist International (RCI) from various states of Brazil gathered in São Paulo for an emergency congress. Its purpose was to found a new Brazilian section of the International and to hold a cadre school. Dozens of delegates, who had been previously elected in regional plenary sessions, took part in the proceedings from 20 to 23 November, beginning a new phase in the history of the RCI in Brazil.

On 12 September 2025, Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years in prison for the crimes of leading a criminal organisation, attempting to violently abolish the democratic rule of law, coup d'état, damage to national public property and damage to listed property of historic significance.

Brazil faces its greatest external aggression since the 1964 coup. The same imperialist tormentor that orchestrated and encouraged the military dictatorship, the United States, is now imposing a protectionist policy of 50 percent tariffs on the Brazilian economy. Trump's stated objectives are the release of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who longs for a military dictatorship, and the supposed ‘correction of mistreatment’ of American technology companies.

Since before the current Trump administration took office, the United States has been imposing aggressive trade tariffs around the world. In 2019, it imposed tariffs on Brazilian steel; in 2023, it was sugar's turn. China, Russia, Venezuela, Iran and many other countries that have challenged US hegemony have faced sanctions, economic barriers and even military intervention.

The moves to impeach the popular left-wing MP Glauber Braga have been stepped up. The case goes back to April last year when Glauber, a Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) member of parliament for Rio de Janeiro, was assaulted in parliament by members of the far-right Free Brazil Movement (MBL). He confronted them and physically ejected them from the parliamentary building. Now, he is being accused of conduct unbecoming of an elected representative, and the Chamber’s Ethics Council has started a trial to remove him as a member of parliament.

On the opening day of the founding congress of the Revolutionary Communist International, we were proud to receive fraternal greetings from comrade Ivan Pinheiro, the historical leader of the Brazilian Communist Party (PCB), and member of the Central Committee of the newly founded Brazilian Revolutionary Communist Party (PCBR).

Glauber Braga, a left-wing member of the Brazilian parliament for the Party of Socialism and Liberty (PSOL), is currently being threatened and victimised for boldly standing up against provocations from the far-right Free Brazil Movement (MBL). Communists of the International Marxist Tendency give their full solidarity to comrade Glauber Braga, who was absolutely correct to oppose the harassment and bullying of these far-right thugs. 

On 4-5 November, the national congress of the Brazilian section of the IMT took place. The congress was tasked with evaluating the development of the organisation, the developing political situation, and the success of the “are you a communist?” campaign. In light of this, the organisation decided to change its name. Previously Esquerda Marxista (Marxist Left), the Brazilian section of the IMT is now called the Internationalist Communist Organisation!

Members of Marxist Left (the Brazilian section of the IMT) and the Brazilian Communist Party – Revolutionary Reconstruction met on the afternoon of Thursday 2 November 2 at the “Rally against imperialist wars – Ukraine and Palestine”, hosted jointly by both organisations. 200 people attended, including members and guests, with political reports delivered by Jorge Martín, representing the International Marxist Tendency (IMT), Gabriel Lazzari, representing the PCB-RR, and Serge Goulart, representing the Marxist Left.

10 April marked the 100th day of the new Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula) government in Brazil. Lula's victory at the ballot box in 2022 was a victory of the struggle of young people and workers, who mobilised to defeat the hated Bolsonaro government and its reactionary policies. But, as we explained during the campaign, this was not the end of the struggle. Bolsonaro and his supporters have gone nowhere – even if they have been weakened – and the government of Lula and Vice President Geraldo Alckmin is pursuing a policy of unity with the bourgeoisie, submitting itself to the fundamental interests of the ruling class and imperialism.

At a meeting of the National Board of PSOL (‘Party of Socialism and Liberty’), on Saturday 17 December, resolutions were discussed and passed drawing a balance sheet of the party’s 2022 election campaign, and on the relationship between the party and its parliamentary faction with the new Lula government.