Over the last few weeks, much has happened in Brazil. We are seeing statements and attitudes by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva that are causing great concern even among leftists. There is a growing climate of intolerance and confrontation in the country.

Imagine, for example, a president who lashes out against both the Judiciary Branch and Congress telling he will not allow them to stop his program of reform. The statement caused great uneasiness in these branches of government, and among politicians and the media.

I invite you to take a look at a second crisis that developed when the government manifested its support for the Landless Movement (MST) which is constantly involved in blatantly illegal actions. President Lula cordially met with MST leaders and even wore their symbols. Meanwhile the movement continues its destabilizing program of invasions of rural properties, destruction of crops, looting, and blockading highways.

Read our special report on this highly inflammatory incident and its repercussion in Brazil.

Lula and his government increasingly find themselves in a dilemma full of ambiguity: on the one hand they present themselves with a certain moderation in economic matters; on the other hand, they endorse ever more radical leftist proposals that break with the status quo. Such proposals often come from those linked to the so-called Liberation Theology and movements such as the MST. This led an important economic commentator to say that Lula “cannot be communist and capitalist at the same time.”

That concludes this issue of LulaWatch. Until next time,

Sincerely yours,

C. Preston Noell III

Vol. I

Jan No. 1 / Jan No. 2

Feb No. 3 / Feb No. 4

Mar No. 5 / Mar No. 6

Apr No. 7 / May No. 8

May No. 9 / June No. 10

July No. 11 / August No. 12

Sept No. 13 / Oct No. 14

Nov No. 15 / Dec No. 16

Vol. II

Jan No. 1 / Feb. No. 2

Feb. No. 3 / Mar. No.4

Jun. No. 5 / Sep. No.6

Nov. No. 7 / Nov. No.8

Vol. III

Jan. No. 1 / Apr. No. 2

Apr. No. 3 / May No. 4

July. No.5

Vol. IV

Feb. No. 1 / Dec. No.2

Dec. No.3 / Dec. No.4

Vol. V

Jan. No. 1 / Feb. No.2

Feb. No.3 / Mar. No.4

Mar. No.5 / Apr. No.6

May. No.7 / May No.8

June. No.9 / July No.10

August. No.11 / Sep. No.12

Oct. No.13 / Oct. No.14

Vol. VI

Jan. No. 1 / Mar. No.2

Lula Fooling the World
Lula's party covered up its
historic radicalism during the
elections, but now in power is
gradually re-nationalizing formerly
privatized assets.

Brazil says NO to Gun Control
- October 27, 2005
The international left was monitoring with great expectations the results of Brazil’s weekend referendum on a nationwide ban on the sale of guns and ammunition. A Yes vote would have been celebrated as a victory for gun control not only in Brazil but worldwide.