Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced the passing of Fleet Admiral Julio Soares de Moura Neto, former commander of the Brazilian Navy from 2007 to 2015, in a statement posted on X at 2:20 PM UTC on February 12, 2026, crediting him with key defense modernizations including the nuclear submarine agreement with France. Lula described receiving the news with great sadness, noting Moura Neto's fundamental role in Brazil's defense strategies and the formalization of the nuclear-powered submarine construction and technology transfer deal, which ensured national sovereignty through essential knowledge command, according to the official X post from @LulaOficial. The statement extended deepest condolences to Moura Neto's family, friends, and fellow service members. No further details on the timing or cause of death were provided in the presidential message issued within the reporting window from 1:45 PM to 2:46 PM UTC. Separately, reports indicated Lula is heading to India with a record 260 Brazilian firms for trade deals and global governance reform discussions, marking the largest delegation and highest-level engagement in recent years, as noted by analyst Oliver Stuenkel citing The Hindu.
