Brazil Roundup: Lula blocks move to cut Bolsonaro’s sentence, export gains, environmental concerns

Lula vetoes bill reducing Bolsonaro’s prison term

Brazil’s president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has vetoed a controversial bill that would have dramatically shortened the 27-year prison sentence of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving time for his role in plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election. The bill, passed by Congress in December 2025, would have cut Bolsonaro’s sentence to just over two years and reduced penalties for others convicted over the January 8, 2023 attacks on government buildings in Brasília. Lula says the convictions were based on fair trials and substantial evidence. Congress could still override the veto. Bolsonaro began his sentence in November 2025 and remains barred from running for office until at least 2030.

Brazil pork exports hit a record and poised to overtake Canada

Brazil’s pork industry achieved a new milestone in 2025, exporting 1.51 million tonnes of pork, an 11.6% increase from the previous year, and is set to surpass Canada as one of the world’s top exporters. Export revenues climbed to US$3.62 billion, up nearly 20% year-on-year. The Philippines emerged as Brazil’s largest buyer, while China, Chile, Japan and Hong Kong also took significant volumes. The boom is credited to diversified international demand and strengthened market access.

Beekeepers warn lithium mining threatens bees in Brazil

Beekeepers in Brazil’s Jequitinhonha Valley are raising alarms that expanding lithium mining, driven by global demand for battery minerals, is disturbing traditional ecosystems where wild beehives once thrived. Local farmers and apiarists, including Aécio Luiz, report that bees are harder to find and honey production is declining as mining activities grow. This region hosts a large share of Brazil’s lithium deposits, which are critical for electric vehicle and renewable energy markets, but the environmental impacts are increasingly prompting community concern.

Neymar extends Santos deal to chase World Cup return

Brazil forward Neymar has extended his contract with Santos until the end of 2026 as he targets a return to the national team ahead of the World Cup. The 33-year-old, who rejoined Santos in January 2025, has not played for Brazil since 2023 due to injury setbacks. He helped the club avoid relegation last season, scoring five goals in their final five matches, before undergoing knee surgery to repair a damaged meniscus. Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, Neymar, is working to regain full fitness to meet coach Carlo Ancelotti’s recall criteria. Brazil will face Scotland, Morocco and Haiti in Group C when the World Cup begins on 11 June in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Roberto Carlos hospitalised, recovering

Brazil and Real Madrid great Roberto Carlos says he is recovering well after undergoing a planned preventative medical procedure. The 52-year-old shared an update on Instagram, posting a photo from his hospital bed and dismissing reports that he had suffered a heart attack. He said the procedure was successful and carried out in advance with his medical team. Carlos thanked supporters for their messages and said he expects to return to full fitness soon.