Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva vowed to protect the country's oil and critical mineral resources from foreign control ahead of October's presidential election.“What is at stake in the October elections is what you want for your country. What future do you want?” he said. He referred to recent developments in Venezuela's oil sector and an agreement between Caracas and Washington over the country's energy resources.“Do you want a country where the oil is ours, or a country where what happened in Venezuela happens?” he said. Lula said Brazil should use its natural resources to develop domestic industry and create jobs rather than simply export raw materials.关键矿产问题已在巴西竞选中占据突出位置，因为全球围绕电动汽车、可再生能源、电子产品和其他先进技术所用资源的竞争日益加剧。

巴西拥有大量稀土以及锂、镍、钴、石墨和锰矿藏，这些矿产被认为对全球能源转型日益重要。

本月早些时候，巴西国会批准了关键和战略矿产的法律框架，旨在鼓励国内加工和该领域投资。卢拉将国家主权和对自然资源的控制作为其连任竞选的核心主题。

“我们不是殖民地，也绝不会成为任何人的殖民地，”他本月早些时候在全国讲话中说，并对外国干涉巴西矿产和石油行业发出警告。

The remarks came as Lula leads the presidential race, while his main rivals seek to challenge his record on the economy, security and government spending. The first round of Brazil's presidential election is scheduled for Oct. 4. Lula is seeking a fourth nonconsecutive term and faces Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, among the main contenders.