Guilherme Boulos, Minister of the Secretariat-General of the Presidency, accused Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) of betraying Brazil by attempting to hand over rare-earth minerals to the U.S.
The clash highlights a deepening rift over Brazil's economic sovereignty and the influence of foreign powers on domestic natural resources. As the country navigates trade tensions, the debate over strategic minerals has become a focal point for political attacks ahead of upcoming elections.
Boulos made the statements during a live broadcast and in reports published in June 2026 [1, 2, 3]. He characterized the senator's alleged intentions as a continuation of a larger pattern, stating, "He inherited the project of delivering Brazil to the Americans" [1].
The Minister specifically targeted the senator's stance on resource management. "Flávio wants to deliver rare earths to the U.S.," Boulos said [2]. In further statements, Boulos called Flávio Bolsonaro a "traitor of the fatherland" [3].
This political friction follows a period of economic tension between the two nations. Boulos linked the senator's perceived betrayal to his support for a 25% tariff imposed by the U.S. on Brazilian exports [1].
Boulos warned that this alignment with U.S. interests would undermine Brazilian sovereignty. He suggested that the perceived betrayal of national interests would cost the senator votes in the next election cycle [1, 3].
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro has previously engaged in correspondence with U.S. officials regarding trade. In May 2026, discussions in Washington addressed the tariff issues, though reports from some outlets focus on the tariff disputes rather than the specific rare-earth accusations [4].
“"Flávio is a traitor of the fatherland and wants to deliver rare earths to the U.S."”
The accusation reflects a strategic attempt by the current administration to frame the political opposition as subservient to foreign interests. By linking rare-earth minerals—critical for high-tech and green energy industries—to national sovereignty, Boulos is shifting the political discourse from mere trade policy to a matter of patriotic duty and national security.
