The Brazilian Intelligence Agency (Abin) has been at the center of a controversy involving a hacking operation against Paraguayan government authorities. The operation was initially planned during the administration of President Bolsonaro but was carried out under President Lula’s leadership, specifically with the approval of Luiz Fernando Corrêa, the current Abin director.
Operation’s Target and Method
The aim of the operation was to access confidential information related to the tariff negotiations of the Itaipu hydroelectric plant, a longstanding point of dispute between Brazil and Paraguay. According to an agent’s testimony obtained exclusively by UOL, the hacking involved setting up virtual servers in Chile and Panama to avoid detection. The targets were key Paraguayan officials involved in the energy negotiations.
According to a report, the operation involved the use of the Cobalt Strike software, a tool designed for system intrusion. Abin agents reportedly deployed this software to infiltrate computers of Paraguayan officials involved in the Itaipu hydroelectric plant tariff negotiations.
Agent Testimonies and Data Capture
Two Abin agents confirmed the operation to the Federal Police (PF); one provided detailed involvement while the other acknowledged its existence without direct knowledge. The agent confirmed that the operation involved capturing passwords and data to access sensitive information related to the Itaipu tariff negotiations but did not reveal the identities of those affected or the exact period when the operation took place.
Legal Investigation and Government Statement
The hacking took place before a new energy agreement was finalized between Brazil and Paraguay in May 2024. However, the agent did not confirm whether the hacked information influenced Brazil’s negotiation stance.
The PF(Brazil’s Federal Police) is now investigating the legality of the operation against Paraguayan authorities. Following the publication of the report, the Lula government released a statement denying involvement and asserting that the operation was authorized by the previous administration. The statement claims that the operation was stopped by the interim Abin director upon the current administration’s awareness and that Luiz Fernando Corrêa only took office after Senate approval.
Authorization and Leadership Response
The agent testified that the operation had the approval of Abin’s top brass, including former director Victor Carneiro and current director Luiz Fernando Corrêa. Corrêa, a retired Federal Police officer and a trusted figure of President Lula, is said to have been very enthusiastic about the operation.
Context of the Investigation and Power Struggles
The investigation began focusing on the alleged political espionage activities of former Abin director Alexandre Ramagem during Bolsonaro’s term. It has since expanded to include suspicions of misconduct by the current director. This situation is perceived by some within Abin as an extension of a power struggle, given that Corrêa’s appointment disrupted the preferences of the current PF director, Andrei Rodrigues.
Read the full statement from the Lula government
“The government of President Lula categorically denies any involvement in an intelligence action, reported today, against Paraguay, a member country of Mercosur with which Brazil maintains historical relations and a close partnership. The mentioned operation was authorized by the previous government in June 2022, and rendered ineffective by the interim director of Abin on March 27, 2023, as soon as the current administration became aware of the fact.
The current director-general of Abin was, at that time, in the process of having his name approved by the Federal Senate, and only took office on May 29, 2023.
The government of President Lula reiterates its commitment to respect and transparent dialogue as fundamental elements in diplomatic relations with Paraguay and with all its partners in the region and around the world.”
Source: UOL
