An event honoring Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva marked the first day of the iconic Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro.
The samba school Acadêmicos de Niterói presented a giant portrait of the president, tracing Lula’s life from a boy growing up in poverty in northeastern Brazil to a metal worker, a union leader, and then the president.
The parade drew criticism from the opposition party because the next general election to elect Brazil’s president is scheduled to be held in October. Critics argue that the tribute could be seen as premature campaigning and potentially violates campaign rules ahead of the election.
Rio’s Carnival parade spans three days, with four top samba schools participating each day.
Video edited by Marina Costa
