Target of Lava Jato, Cabral regrets being away from Carnival and the loss of an old ally

The former governor of Rio de Janeiro, Sérgio Cabral, took to social media to express nostalgia for Carnival, stating that eight years have passed since his last visit to the Marquês de Sapucaí sambadrome. The target of multiple convictions in the Lava Jato operation, Cabral shared photos from past carnivals, including one in which he appears alongside Mayor Eduardo Paes (PSD), a former political ally.

“This carnival, I complete eight years without setting foot in Sapucaí. From here, I root for my Mangueira and pray for a carnival of peace, joy and lots of love”, wrote Cabral on a social network in a sequence of photos of old carnivals.

The previously close relationship between Cabral and Paes has generated discomfort for the current mayor since the former governor’s arrest in 2016. Paes seeks to distance himself from his former ally, referring to his connection with Cabral as “institutional.”

Cabral, who governed Rio from 2007 to 2014, was convicted in 23 cases for crimes such as corruption and money laundering, accumulating a sentence of 425 years and 20 days. Despite this, his lawyers have sought to challenge the jurisdiction of the Federal Court since October 2023. He was released under precautionary measures last year.

Recently, during an event at Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Park, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) almost confused Paes with Cabral in his speech, generating a moment of embarrassment that was noticed by First Lady Cristine Assed and Paes himself. , who reacted with a smile to the PT member’s mistaken speech.

Since his house arrest was revoked almost a year ago, Cabral has been trying to reinsert himself into public life through social media and in conversations with people who were once close to him. On Instagram, for example, he started posting photos of his daily life, commenting on political decisions, among other topics.