Lula Gets 22-Metre Carnival Tribute as Rio Parade Opens
A 22-metre metal effigy of Lula will lead the Acadêmicos de Niterói’s Rio carnival parade, celebrating the former Lula da Silva’s rise from poverty to Brazil’s presidency and highlighting education access and democracy; it marks the first time a serving president is honored on Rio’s carnival stage, a move critics call potential electioneering amid Lula’s bid for a fourth term in 2026.