Brazil Spied on Paraguay under Bolsonaro, Government Confirms

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    SAO PAULO – The Brazilian government has acknowledged that its intelligence agency conducted surveillance on Paraguayan officials during Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency, which persisted until March 2023, three months into the presidency of current leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The announcement comes from Brazil’s foreign ministry, following an exposé by an online news platform that accused Lula’s government of continuing the spying activities against Paraguay.

    The ministry refrained from specifying which Paraguayan authorities were under surveillance but clarified that the operation ceased as soon as Lula’s administration became aware of it. “President Lula’s administration categorically denies any involvement in the intelligence action reported today against Paraguay, a member country of Mercosur with which Brazil maintains historical relations and a close partnership,” stated the foreign ministry.

    In Paraguay, Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano addressed the press by stating he had no evidence of any breach by Brazil into Paraguay’s systems. Meanwhile, former President Bolsonaro has remained silent on the issue.

    The ministry further noted that the appointment of the current director-general of the intelligence agency was pending Senate confirmation at the beginning of 2023, a period when the espionage activities were still reportedly ongoing.

    According to the news report, Brazilian espionage efforts involved infiltrating Paraguayan computer networks to gather data on tariff discussions linked to the Itaipu hydroelectric dam, which is among the largest dams globally. This dam is a joint venture between Brazil and Paraguay, and Brazil predominantly acquires the bulk of the electricity that Paraguay markets. The negotiations over this arrangement have been a point of contention in past years.

    Meanwhile, Bolsonaro is facing trial in Brazil’s Supreme Court on several charges, including an alleged coup attempt following his defeat in the 2022 elections. Additional legal battles are underway as he awaits decisions on other charges from the highest court in the country.