Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has hailed the discovery of oil near

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has hailed the discovery of oil near the mouth of the Amazon river, sparking widespread criticism from environmentalists and conservation groups. The decision to allow exploratory drilling in the Brazilian Equatorial Margin was met with outrage, with many accusing Lula of prioritizing national interests over climate change concerns.

The oil discovery was made in the sea about 175km (110 miles) off the Amazon coast, but the size of the field is not yet clear. Petrobras started the exploratory deep-water drilling operation in the area in October 2025, with CEO Magda Chambriard stating that the discovery confirmed their optimism about finding oil in the region.

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Lula has argued that oil revenues are needed to help fund Brazil's transition to non-fossil fuels, but environmentalists argue that this justification is flawed. The president stressed that he remains committed to phasing out fossil fuels, citing his country's role as a leader in biofuel innovation and renewable energy.