Brazil’s president, Luiz Lula da Silva, has welcomed the discovery of oil near the mouth of the Amazon, describing it as a potential ‘passport to the country’s future’. State-run Petrobras found oil during exploratory drilling about a hundred miles offshore, although the field’s size and commercial viability remain unknown. Environmentalists strongly oppose drilling in the biodiverse region, warning that an oil spill could damage reefs, coastal wetlands and wildlife. Lula insists Brazil will determine how to use its natural resources without foreign interference and argues that oil revenues could finance the country’s eventual transition away from fossil fuels. Petrobras says the discovery could strengthen Brazil’s energy security. The prospect of production has already raised hopes for local employment and investment. With a presidential election due in October, Lula faces competing demands for economic development, environmental protection, and action against climate change.