LatinNews Daily - 20 August 2026

*Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has visited the Aramar nuclear industrial centre in São Paulo state and highlighted the need to invest in the development of a nuclear submarine. Ahead of the October presidential election, in which Lula is seeking a new term, the president has in recent months ramped up his rhetoric regarding sovereignty and boosting national industry, which are priorities mentioned in his campaign manifesto. Yesterday he wrote on social media: “Investing in [a submarine] is investing in sovereignty, technological development, qualified employment, and the production of knowledge here in Brazil”. At the Aramar centre, Lula reiterated these points and said that he would ensure that submarine construction receives the necessary resources. Brazilian media outlets, such as news website UOL, have highlighted that Lula’s promises to fund military industrial development projects come amid budget freezes for the defence ministry.