Lula felt betrayed by Marina in Ibama’s decision – 05/25/2023 – Environment

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva felt betrayed by the publication of Ibama’s decision that denied environmental licensing for Petrobras to drill an oil well in Foz do Amazonas.

Lula hoped that Minister Marina Silva (Environment) would inform him in advance about the decision, so that he could work out a political solution with the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME).

The information was confirmed by interlocutors from the Ministry of the Environment, the PT (Workers’ Party) and the presidency of Petrobras.

Marina, however, insisted that Ibama’s decision would be technical and not subject to political interference.

The decision was published on May 17, when Lula was in Japan for the G7 meeting.

Ministers Rui Costa (Casa Civil) and Alexandre Silveira (Mines and Energy) had to wait for the president to return to the country to try to reverse the situation, which increased the political cost of mediation with the Environment, inspiring Marina Silva to fry.

According to government sources, the Minister of the Civil House, Rui Costa, should mediate an agreement between the MME, the Ministry of the Environment and Ibama, which should be signed by Lula.

Petrobras intends to present an appeal to Ibama this week, but the company’s president, Jean Paul Prates, should maintain a neutral posture in the political fight.

_{The Planeta em Transe project is supported by the Open Society Foundations.}