Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
Brazil Admits to Spying on Paraguay Under Bolsonaro; Lula Administration Denies Current Involvement
SAO PAULO – The Brazilian government has acknowledged that its intelligence agency engaged in espionage operations targeting Paraguayan officials during the tenure of former President Jair Bolsonaro. This admission comes after reports surfaced alleging surveillance on Paraguay, a situation that Brasilia says concluded in March 2023, early into the administration of current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The disclosure sheds light on Brazil-Paraguay relations and regional intelligence matters.
Brazilian Foreign Ministry Statement Confirms Past Surveillance
The announcement from Brazil’s Foreign Ministry followed a news report by UOL that implicated the Lula administration in ongoing spying activities against Paraguay. The ministry clarified that while the espionage occurred, it ceased “as soon as the present administration became cognizant of the situation.” Details regarding which Paraguayan authorities were the targets of the surveillance were not provided.
Lula Administration Denies Allegations of Current Espionage
“President Lula’s government unequivocally refutes any participation in the reported intelligence operation against Paraguay,” the Brazilian Foreign Ministry stated. They emphasized the historical relationship and strong partnership Brazil maintains with Paraguay, a fellow member of the Mercosur trade bloc, underscoring the denial of present-day spying.
Paraguayan Response: No Evidence of System Breach
Earlier on Monday, Paraguay’s Foreign Minister, Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, addressed journalists in Asuncion, stating that he possesses “no evidence that Brazil has attacked our system.” This comment suggests a measured response from Paraguay to the revelations.
Bolsonaro Remains Silent on Espionage Claims
Former President Bolsonaro has not yet issued any public statements or comments regarding these allegations of espionage activities conducted during his presidency.
Intelligence Agency Leadership Transition Period
The Brazilian ministry further noted that the current director-general of the intelligence agency was awaiting Senate confirmation in early 2023, coinciding with the period when the acknowledged espionage was still in effect.
Itaipu Dam Tariff Negotiations as Potential Espionage Motive
UOL Report Suggests Focus on Hydroelectric Dam Discussions
According to the UOL news report, Brazilian intelligence operatives infiltrated Paraguayan computer networks to gather information pertaining to tariff discussions related to the Itaipu hydroelectric dam. This massive infrastructure project is a key point of economic cooperation and potential friction between the two nations.
Itaipu Dam: A Shared Resource and Source of Tension
Brazil and Paraguay jointly control the energy production from the Itaipu dam, a global leader in hydroelectric power generation with a 14,000-megawatt capacity. Brazil is a significant purchaser of Paraguayan-generated energy, a dynamic that has led to complex and occasionally strained negotiations in recent years, potentially providing a context for the alleged espionage.
Bolsonaro’s Legal Challenges in Brazil
Bolsonaro is currently facing legal proceedings before Brazil’s Supreme Court in multiple cases, including five charges related to alleged attempts to subvert the democratic process following his loss in the 2022 election. He also faces other pending legal decisions before the nation’s highest court.