Brazilian presidential candidate Ronaldo Caiado criticized rivals Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro on Sunday for skipping a debate hosted by the Band television network, calling them no-shows as he arrived at the studios.
Speaking to reporters, Caiado said Brazilian voters had every reason to feel disappointed and disrespected by the absence of candidates who, in his words, had nothing to show and much to hide.
Caiado, a former governor of the state of Goiás, is running under the Partido Social Democrático. Lula, Brazil's president and the Partido dos Trabalhadores candidate, and Flávio Bolsonaro, of the Partido Liberal, currently lead opinion polls for the race, according to the report.
Caiado also went after both rivals over controversial episodes from their campaigns, saying there was a "Dark Horse" on one side and a "dark lobby" on the other. The remark referred to businessman Daniel Vorcaro's financing of a film honoring former president Jair Bolsonaro, Flávio's father, and to investigations into Lula's former chief of staff over alleged ties to a lobbyist linked to fraud at Brazil's social security institute, the INSS.
Trump and public security
Asked about public security and the United States' recent designation of Brazilian criminal factions as terrorist organizations, Caiado played down the American decision, saying Donald Trump would look after his own country.
He said Trump would not solve Brazil's public security problems, that he himself would be the one to do so, that Brazilians handle their own affairs and that the election belonged to them. He added that he would know how to sit down and talk with all presidents.
Arrivals at the debate
Renan Santos, of the Missão party, was the first presidential candidate to arrive at the TV Bandeirantes studios in the southern zone of São Paulo, followed by Caiado. Augusto Cury, of Avante, arrived shortly afterward.
Caiado also said he intends to explore Brazil's economic potential and natural resources, claiming the country is the only one capable of leading in several strategic sectors.
Other absences
Earlier on Sunday, candidate Romeu Zema, of the Novo party, announced that he too would not attend the debate, joining Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro in skipping the event.
