Presidential Candidate Renan Santos Proposes Nuclear Weapons and Defiance of Supreme Court

Renan Santos, the presidential candidate for the Missão party, stated in an interview with TV Globo that Brazil should develop nuclear weapons to ensure national sovereignty and protect its natural resources, such as rare earths. Santos argued that nuclear capabilities are necessary for Brazil to be recognized as one of the world's major powers and to avoid a submissive international position. He acknowledged that the country cannot produce an atomic bomb in the immediate future, suggesting a medium to long term timeline. These proposals contradict the Brazilian Constitution and the Treaty on the Non Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, of which Brazil is a signatory.

On public security, Santos proposed a declaration of war against organized crime and the implementation of a state of exception in favelas to reclaim territories. He cited the security model of El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele as an inspiration, supporting the construction of massive prisons and the removal of the presumption of innocence for those labeled as enemies of the nation. While some reports note he called himself a pacifist, he also stated that police should shoot to kill in situations of violence.

Santos further asserted that he would disobey decisions from the Supreme Federal Court (STF) that he deems illegal. He specifically cited a decision by Justice Alexandre de Moraes regarding the breach of journalistic source confidentiality as an example of a grotesque order that should not be followed. He claimed that any citizen has the duty to disobey illegal judicial orders, though he mentioned he would seek a legal opinion from the Attorney General of the Union before taking such action.

Regarding economic policy, Santos suggested desindexing pensions from the minimum wage and decoupling revenues from health and education to facilitate fiscal adjustments and infrastructure investment. He also minimized the gravity of past sexist comments made by ally Arthur do Val, describing them as poor statements made in a private setting.