Brazil’s Missão Party Publicly Launches Renan Santos’ Presidential Bid

Brazil’s Missão party publicly launched Renan Santos’ presidential campaign on Saturday at its first national congress in São Paulo, presenting a government platform and candidates for nine state governments.

The event at Komplexo Tempo, in the city’s eastern zone, brought together party members, lawmakers and supporters. The party presented its program in a six-part publication known as the “Yellow Book.”

A Campaign Launch

Missão had formally approved Santos’ presidential candidacy on July 20. The party moved the formal act forward after Santos reported threats from criminal factions, according to O Globo. The change was intended to allow him to receive protection from Brazil’s Federal Police.

Saturday’s congress served as the public start of the campaign. Santos, who addressed a predominantly young audience for about an hour, recalled the history of the Movimento Brasil Livre (MBL), the political movement associated with the party, and criticized both President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Santos said his goal at the end of a possible presidential term would include restoring Brazil’s space program and pursuing domestic defense capabilities. He said Brazil should consider developing not only nuclear weapons but also advanced warplanes on its own territory.

Those statements were part of a broader emphasis on national power and security at the event. Aroldo Medina, a military officer and Santos’ running mate, praised the candidate and said a future administration would authorize an operation against criminal groups in Rio de Janeiro’s Complexo do Alemão. His remarks referred to a major group of communities in the city that has long been affected by armed disputes and police operations.

State-Level Candidates

Federal lawmaker Kim Kataguiri, one of Missão’s leading figures, said the party would propose weekly broadcasts if Santos won the presidency. The broadcasts would present what the party described as progress in fighting organized crime and corruption.

Missão also announced candidates for the governments of nine states: Huggo Leonardo in Ceará, Breno Barcelos in Espírito Santo, Rafaell Milas in Mato Grosso, André Luís in Maranhão, Ben Mendes in Minas Gerais, Renan Hallais in Pernambuco, Luiz França in Paraná, Coronel Busnello in Rio de Janeiro, and Marcelo Brigadeiro in Santa Catarina.

The congress took place as other Brazilian parties held conventions to formalize candidates for the 2026 elections. Missão’s event was distinct because its presidential ticket had already been formally approved in July, while Saturday’s gathering focused on its public presentation and policy platform.

This article is based on single-source reporting from O Globo.