BRAZILIA, Brazil. – Representatives of the Workers’ Party say the former President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, is the victim of a judicial persecution to prevent his candidacy for the presidency of that country.

Last February, the judge in the Lava Jato case, Sergio Moro, sentenced Lula to twelve 12 years and one month in prison for the alleged crime of passive corruption.

Despite this situation, in recent months the leader of the Workers’ Party is still adding support from the Brazilian people and his level of popularity has been maintained.

The support to Lula is not only evident in the people or in the social movements, but also at the international level, especially in Latin America where leaders, politicians, organizations, academics, among others, have expressed their support to the former President.