Following the US military capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicanos) posted a video from vacation, celebrating the event, accusing President Lula of supporting the regime, and explicitly linking it to Brazil's 2026 presidential race. The move drew a sharp rebuke from PT Minister Gleisi Hoffmann.
On January 4, 2026, while on vacation until January 11, Governor Tarcísio de Freitas posted a self-written video on social media hailing the US operation that captured Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores after bombing Caracas. Maduro faces US trial for narcoterrorism and drug trafficking.
Tarcísio spotlighted Venezuela's dictatorship ills, accused Lula (PT) of backing Maduro, and concluded: "Venezuela is now defeating the left, and may Brazil also win by the end of the year," eyeing the October 2026 elections. His wife, first lady Cristiane Freitas, echoed: "A great victory for the Venezuelan people. May we Brazilians also celebrate at the end of the 2026 elections!"
The post resonated with Bolsonarista supporters and allies view it as a presidential bid signal, despite Tarcísio's focus on state reelection. Notably, he avoided mentioning Donald Trump, differing from past alignment strained by US tariffs on Brazilian goods in 2025.
PT Minister Gleisi Hoffmann (Institutional Relations) fired back: "Tarcísio Freitas, who wore Trump's hat, celebrated the tariff hike against Brazil, supported Eduardo Bolsonaro's betrayal, defended amnesty for coup plotters, now blames Lula for the US invasion of Venezuela. That's a lot of cynicism."
In an O Estado de S. Paulo interview, Tarcísio blamed Brazil's failure to lead Venezuela's transition on PT-Maduro ties: "We can criticize the means... But something needed to be done and it was done."
This follows his January 1 video equating "Happy 2026 = Out PT." Allies praised the Venezuela post's strategic tone to rally the right. (See prior coverage on broader Brazilian reactions.)
