On Sunday, August 16, 2026, presidential candidates Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of the Workers’ Party (PT) and Flávio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party (PL) presented opposing public security proposals at campaign kickoff events in São Bernardo do Campo and Rio de Janeiro.
Lula’s Security Ministry Proposal
Speaking at the Estádio Municipal 1° de Maio in São Bernardo do Campo, Lula said he would create a Ministry of Public Security if a constitutional amendment (PEC) currently under Senate analysis is approved. He argued the ministry would share responsibility with states and municipalities to imprison those who consider themselves owners of favelas. Lula added that investing in education is cheaper than incarceration, noting his administration had seized R$35 billion from organized crime compared with R$1 billion under his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro. He also highlighted the role of women in society, citing the participation of first lady Janja da Silva in the event.
Lula said the speech lasted about forty minutes and recalled that the venue was where he led union strikes during the military dictatorship. He stated that if the PEC is passed, the new ministry would “dividir a responsabilidade com estados e municípios, para libertar o povo prendendo todo mundo que acha que é dono de uma favela.” He stressed that changing the Constitution is a prerequisite for the ministry’s creation.
On economic arguments, Lula claimed that “investir em educação é mais barato que cadeia” and that preventing young people from becoming criminals builds a more civilized country. He contrasted the R$1 billion seized by the previous administration with the R$35 billion his government has recovered from organized crime, arguing that confiscating criminals’ wealth dismantles the illicit industry. He noted that while street violence is easy to commit, the masterminds often reside in luxury condominiums and must be tackled to reduce violence in poorer areas.
Flávio’s Hardline Security Measures
At Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Flávio Bolsonaro declared he would “meter o cacete nos vagabundos” if elected. His platform includes classifying the PCC (Primeiro Comando da Capital) and CV (Comando Vermelho) criminal factions as terrorist groups, reducing the age of criminal responsibility, and mandating chemical castration for men convicted of rape. He stated that a rapist “will have to suffer chemical castration” and that cellphone thieves should face a minimum of eight years in prison.
Minutes before his main remarks, Flávio said he would be the next president “because he will face this system” and promised to cut government spending and fight corruption. He later added that he would “organize these accounts” so citizens would no longer have debt, pledging a “tesouraço” (budget cut) for the following year, with specific cuts to corruption and to “petistas que tão lá mamando na teta.”
Flávio also advocated applying the Penal Code to illicit acts committed from age sixteen and increasing penalties for cellphone theft. He summarized his security vision: “Brasil vai vencer porque PCC e CV vão ser classificados como terroristas. Brasil vai vencer porque ladrão de celular vai ficar oito anos preso no mínimo. Brasil vai vencer porque eu vou proteger as mulheres. Brasil vai vencer porque quem agride mulher vai ficar preso. Vou reduzir a maioridade penal, para que um estuprador de 16 anos também mofe na cadeia.”
Context and Definitions
The PT is Brazil’s center‑left Workers’ Party, led by Lula. The PL is the center‑right Liberal Party. The PCC and CV are the nation’s largest criminal organizations, originating in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro respectively. Chemical castration refers to medical treatment that lowers testosterone to reduce libido, used in some jurisdictions for sex offenders. The INSS is Brazil’s National Institute of Social Security, and “Lulinha” is a nickname for Lula’s grandson, often referenced in political discourse.
Single‑Source Reporting
All details in this article are drawn from the CNN Brasil coverage of the dual campaign launches; no additional sources were consulted.