Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Wednesday sent a message to an international colloquium in Havana thanking the Commander in Chief Fidel Castro for shaping his political trajectory and voicing solidarity with Cuba on the revolutionary leader’s centenary (1926-2026).

Lula affirmed that his current third term at the presidency is directly attributable to Castro’s “encouragement and wisdom.” The 80-year-old Brazilian leader is aiming for a fourth term.

State media reported that Lula expressed a desire to give “the Cuban people the same message of strength and hope” and called for “fraternity and justice” to persist in the face of adversity.

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Recalling their decades-long bond, Lula had previously stated in 2016, following Castro’s death, that he felt the loss “like the death of an older brother.” He described their relationship as “affectionate and intense,” founded on the pursuit of emancipation for their respective peoples.

ǀ Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated in a message to the First International Colloquium “Fidel: Legacy and Future” that his political career was driven by the wisdom of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution. (PL) pic.twitter.com/8VCs40Xf5v

— Granma (English) (@Granma_English) August 13, 2026

The Brazilian president’s remarks were delivered by intellectual and theologian Frei Betto at the colloquium “Fidel: legacy and future,” which concludes the commemorative program on Thursday, August 13, marking the 100th anniversary of Castro’s birth.

During his intervention, Betto recalled the nearly five-decade rule of the Cuban leader and highlighted the “need to open spaces for understanding,” a theme drawn from his 1985 interview with Castro. That interview, conducted over four separate sessions totaling 23 hours, was later compiled into the book “Fidel and Religion.”

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