Brazil's Lula accuses US of interfering in Saab fighter jet deal

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has labelled the U.S. request for information regarding the sale of fighter jets to the Swedish military-industrial company Saab in 2014 as interference in Brazil's internal affairs.

“Honestly, I view this inquiry from the U.S. as interference in another country’s matters. It’s inappropriate," the leader said in an interview with Brazilian radio station, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

"I’m not certain what information they are seeking, and I don’t want to make assumptions, but it seems unreasonable to request details about an aircraft that Brazil purchased,” he added.

The Brazilian leader suggested that the request stemmed from U.S. dissatisfaction with Brazil's decision to acquire fighter jets from a source other than American manufacturers.

“They wanted us to buy their planes, and they certainly didn’t appreciate that [former president] Dilma [Rousseff] opted to independently purchase Swedish aircraft,” Lula da Silva remarked.

In 2014, Brazil and Saab entered into an agreement for the delivery of 36 Gripen fighter jets. On October 10, the Swedish manufacturer disclosed that it had received an inquiry from the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the transaction.

By Tamilla Hasanova