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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva led the civil-military parade marking Independence Day in Brasilia on Monday.
Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, his running mate for the October elections, accompanied him during the event, along with First Lady Rosangela Lula da Silva and the heads of the legislative and judicial branches, among other officials.
The Brasilia program featured a parade of students from public schools and troops from the Armed Forces, the Military Police of the Federal District, and the Military Fire Department. Officials presented armored vehicles, motorcycle squads, cavalry and infantry units.
This year's celebrations centered on three themes: the defense of national sovereignty, the fight against violence against women and the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Lula tied independence to the defense of sovereignty and democracy, pointing to the country's strategic wealth: the world's second-largest rare-earth reserves, freshwater resources, and new oil reserves.
“We are a sovereign country, and our decisions belong to us and no one else,” Lula said, making an implicit reference to the economic and political pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Independence consists of building the Brazil we want. A sovereign country, master of its destiny, that cares for its people, invests in education, fights organized crime, and guarantees opportunities for our people,” he stressed.
Prince Pedro de Alcantara, who later became Pedro I, declared Brazil's independence from Portugal on Sept. 7, 1822. The declaration, made in Sao Paulo, is regarded as the founding act of the Brazilian nation.
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