Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil’s president, has launched an impassioned defence of his country’s democracy, claiming the recent conviction of his far-right predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, had shown the world how “would-be autocrats” could be brought to heel. Aggression against the independence of the judiciary is unacceptable.”Speaking immediately after Lula, Trump accused Brazil of “censorship, repression … judicial corruption and [the] targeting of political critics”. “Before the eyes of the world, Brazil sent a message to all would-be autocrats and those who support them. Our democracy and our sovereignty are non-negotiable,” Lula, 79, told the UN assembly to applause. In another indirect swipe at Trump, Lula criticised the recent US attacks on Venezuelan boats in the Caribbean, which have killed at least 17 people.