Amid the spotlight of COP30, held in Belém, First Lady Janja Lula da Silva staged a moment that highlighted the gap between the official discourse and the reality experienced by the Brazilian people. By mentioning that the state of Amazonas had “more than 50 million inhabitants,” Janja made a serious factual error — according to IBGE, the state has about 4.3 million inhabitants.
The display of ignorance about her own country occurred during the Global Citizen Festival: Amazon, held in Belém on November 1, 2025, when First Lady Janja Lula da Silva gave a speech praising the importance of the Amazon region for the world. The statement, although it may seem like a numerical slip, reveals something deeper: a disconnection of a public figure from the basic facts about her own country. At an international event that places the Amazon at the center of global attention, accuracy, responsibility, and preparedness are expected. The Legal Amazon, which covers nine states, has about 29 million inhabitants — still far from the figure mentioned.
READ: Supreme Court Justices Appointed by Lula’s Party Decide Whether to Accept…
Janja stated: “They say that the Amazon is the lung of the planet. I prefer to say that the Amazon is the heart of the planet. A heart that beats in the chest of its nearly 50 million inhabitants (…). In a few days, Belém will be the capital of the world,” she added.
The impact of misinformation
When a high-ranking authority spreads incorrect information on national and international networks, the effect goes beyond a mere blunder. Institutional misinformation undermines the government’s credibility, confuses the public, and compromises public debate. In times of polarization and fake news, the example must come from the top — and come with responsibility.
READ MORE: Lula government achieves record indebtedness in Brazil, and puts Dilma in 2nd place
Access the news that enriches your day in real time, from the economic and investment market to relevant topics in Brazil and the world by telegram Click here. If you prefer, follow us on Google News: Click here. Follow us on the WhatsApp Channel. Click here
Luxury and Contradiction
Janja’s statement occurred in the same context in which she and President Lula stayed on the luxurious yacht Iana 3 during COP30. The vessel, with suites, a dining room for 16 people, and a structure worthy of a five-star hotel, contrasts with the discourse of simplicity and commitment to the people. While millions of Brazilians face hardships, the symbol of COP was a millionaire yacht — and a statement disconnected from reality.
What is expected of a first lady
The first lady has a symbolic and political role. Her words carry weight and consequences. Knowing the country, respecting the facts, and representing the people with honesty and preparation are minimum requirements. When this fails, what is seen is a spectacle of vanity, not of leadership.
Correcting the lie about the Real Population of the Brazilian Amazon told by Janja
The Legal Amazon, which includes nine Brazilian states (Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima, and Tocantins), is the area officially used for public policies aimed at the Amazon region.According to the 2022 Census, the total population of the Legal Amazon is approximately 28 million inhabitants. The most populous state in the region is Pará, with about 8.1 million inhabitants. Amazonas, which houses a large part of the forest, has about 3.9 million people.
Where does the number 50 million come from?
The figure of 50 million inhabitants may arise from misinterpretations or attempts to include populations from neighboring countries that also share the Amazon rainforest, such as:
Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.
Even by adding the populations of the Amazonian areas of these countries, one does not directly reach 50 million inhabitants connected to the forest.
Urbanization in the Amazon
The Amazon is not just a forest: there are large urban centers, such as Manaus, Belém, Porto Velho, and Rio Branco, which concentrate a significant portion of the regional population.
Urbanization has advanced, but there is still a large population dispersion and low demographic density in many areas.
Why does this matter?
Overestimating the population of the Amazon can inflate political or economic rhetoric without a real basis. Understanding the true population size is essential for environmental planning, infrastructure, and public policies.