Lula Jabs Bolsonaro Over Amnesty Pleas During R$516 Billion Farm Plan Launch

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva used the launch of Brazil’s Plano Safra 2025/2026 on Tuesday to rebuke Jair Bolsonaro’s recent appeals for political amnesty and financial help. Announcing a R$516.2 billion credit package for medium and large farmers—an increase of R$8 billion, or 1.5%, from the previous cycle—Lula told producers at the Palácio do Planalto that he would "never ask supporters for Pix" and would "never seek amnesty before being convicted," adding, “Quem é frouxo não deveria fazer bobagem.” Lula’s remarks targeted fundraising campaigns that collected roughly R$17 million for the former president and a push by Bolsonaro’s allies to pardon those charged over the 8 January 2023 storming of government buildings. Bolsonaro himself is a defendant at the Supreme Federal Court on accusations that he tried to halt Lula’s inauguration after losing the 2022 election. Ministers in Lula’s cabinet have said any pre-emptive pardon for Bolsonaro would be unconstitutional. The new Plano Safra will make compliance with the Climate Risk Agricultural Zoning (Zarc) mandatory for all working-capital loans, a requirement previously limited to small producers. Corrected for inflation, the nominal rise leaves the allocation about 4% lower in real terms than last year, according to a Banco Central calculation. Lula was joined at the ceremony by Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin and the ministers of Agriculture, Finance and Environment.