A delegation comprised of leaders from four political parties is participating in meetings with members of the U.S. Congress, officials from the OAS and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), diplomats, and civil society organizations to discuss democracy, sovereignty, and the importance of the bilateral relationship between Brazil and the United States.
A delegation of progressive lawmakers from the Brazilian National Congress is undertaking a series of meetings this week in Washington, D.C., with U.S. members of Congress, representatives of international organizations, diplomats, think tanks, and civil society organizations.
The mission arrives amid heightened international attention on Brazil’s 2026 electoral process, intensifying debates surrounding disinformation, and critical issues on the bilateral agenda. Notably, this includes the recent announcement by the U.S. Department of State designating the Comando Vermelho (CV) and the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) as Specially Designated Global Terrorists, with plans to formally classify them as Foreign Terrorist Organizations starting June 5.
The delegation’s agenda seeks to strengthen channels for political and institutional dialogue on issues of strategic importance to Brazil, ensuring that relations between the two nations are not driven solely by geopolitical tensions and unilateral measures.
Supported by the Washington Brazil Office (WBO), Plataforma CIPÓ, the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), Amazon Watch, and the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), the mission brings together Federal Deputy Jandira Feghali (PCdoB-RJ), House Leader for the PCdoB; Federal Deputy Pedro Uczai (PT-SC), Leader of the PT; Federal Deputy Pedro Campos (PSB-PE), Deputy Government Leader; and Federal Deputy André Janones (Rede-MG), Leader of the Rede Sustentabilidade.
Throughout the week, the deputies will engage with U.S. legislators, representatives from the Inter-American Human Rights System and the Organization of American States (OAS), ambassadors from Brazil’s partner nations, journalists, civil society organizations, and institutions dedicated to monitoring democracy and international relations.
With the 2026 elections on the horizon, the delegation aims to reaffirm international confidence in Brazilian democratic institutions and the integrity of the country’s electoral system. The mission also seeks to broaden the understanding of Brazil’s institutional landscape within influential political circles in Washington. In the lawmakers’ assessment, expanding dialogue with international interlocutors is a legitimate dimension of democratic engagement, encompassing a vital parliamentary effort to reinforce respect for national sovereignty, decisions rendered by Brazilian institutions, and Brazil’s prominent role on the global stage.
In a pivotal context for Brazil-U.S. relations, Maiara Folly, Executive Director of Plataforma CIPÓ, stated that it is essential to preserve channels of dialogue between the democratic and progressive forces of both countries. She emphasized that this parliamentary mission helps strengthen bilateral communication channels rooted in the defense of sovereignty, mutual respect, and the reinforcement of multilateralism to tackle key challenges, such as threats to democracy, digital disinformation, and the energy transition.
In tandem, Paulo Abrão, Executive Director of the WBO, highlighted the critical need to diversify Brazilian parliamentary voices in the United States, noting that this is a high-level group of democratic leaders whose participation will significantly help elevate the debate and deepen understanding of the Brazilian reality on the international stage.
