When German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that all German journalists were happy to leave Belém, Brazilian mayors and governors reacted by calling him “arrogant” and “prejudiced.” But was Merz really wrong?

Actually, no. On the contrary, he simply said publicly what all COP30 participants were thinking but were too polite to mention. When you spend $1.5 billion on infrastructure and deliver diesel-powered air conditioning, filthy bathrooms, oil-contaminated water, and electrocution risks, you can’t complain when Germans speak the truth.

What Merz Actually Said

First, let’s look at the German Chancellor’s exact words at the German Trade Congress on November 13: “I asked some journalists who were with me in Brazil last week: ‘Who among you would like to stay here?’ Nobody raised their hand. Everyone was happy that we had returned to Germany.”

He also said that Germany is “one of the most beautiful countries in the world.” So what’s the problem? The mayor and governor called this “arrogant and prejudiced.” However, when someone speaks an uncomfortable truth, attacking the messenger is easier than acknowledging the problem.

Brazil’s Defensive Reaction

Mayor Igor Normando posted an outraged video on social media. Similarly, Governor Helder Barbalho wrote: “Curious to see those who helped heat the planet find the Amazon’s heat strange.”

However, this response completely misses the point: Merz wasn’t complaining about the natural Amazonian climate, but about the disastrous infrastructure Brazil created to host an international conference. Deflecting to “Europe’s historical guilt” is avoiding Brazil’s present responsibility.

The Reality Nobody Wants to Admit

Now, let’s look at the documented facts that prove Merz was absolutely right. First, the UN itself sent a formal letter to the Lula government listing serious failures — the first time in COP history this has happened.

Additionally, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell used terms like “threat to life,” “health problems,” “precarious conditions,” and “considerable discomfort.” So it’s not just Germans complaining — it’s the international organization responsible for the event.

160 Diesel Air Conditioners Blowing Hot Air

Here’s the supreme irony: a climate conference ran on 160 giant DIESEL-powered air conditioners. Moreover, these machines were inadequate and blew HOT AIR into the pavilion.

Indoor temperatures exceeded 95°F while tens of thousands of people circulated under hundreds of lights. Clearly, international delegates weren’t experiencing a purposeful “reality check” — they were in a poorly planned sauna.

Filthy Bathrooms and Contaminated Water

Meanwhile, the UN letter mentions “many complaints about bathroom quality, which had to be closed for repairs DURING the conference.” There was also “partial water shortage” in the restrooms.

The Media Center turned into a “lagoon” after a storm: “puddles of diesel oil mixed with rainwater, nauseating smell.” International journalists worked in an environment with contaminated water, diesel smell, and broken bathrooms.

Risk of Death by Electrocution

Rain-caused leaks created “possible safety risks due to electricity exposure.” Stiell used the term “threat to life” to describe water coming into contact with electrical installations.

Participants not only suffered from heat and lack of structure — they literally risked electrocution. Clearly, when the German Chancellor says everyone wanted to leave, he was being GENTLE.

$5 Coffee and $4 Water

Meanwhile, abusive prices completed the embarrassment. A simple coffee cost $5. A small water bottle sold for $4 — ironically, the same item was distributed free in cans.

A coxinha (Brazilian snack) cost $5-7 and a full meal $10-12. There were 40-minute lines to eat. International delegates paid fortunes to wait nearly an hour for expensive food.

The Kafkaesque Payment System

There was also a “payment system requiring prepaid card recharge, with refunds allowed only for those presenting proof of identification.” Even buying water was torturous bureaucracy.

Only 31 Heads of State: Lowest Attendance Since 2019

The diplomatic failure preceded the event. Only 31 heads of state and government attended — the lowest participation since COP25 in 2019.

No Mercosur or BRICS leaders showed up. Even Lula and Janja’s cocktail party for foreign politicians was embarrassing: practically NOBODY came. Only Dilma, Mercadante, and Silveira ate canapés alone.

27 Countries Requested Transfer Months Earlier

Here’s a devastating fact: months before, 27 countries signed a letter requesting COP30 be moved to another city. However, Lula called keeping the event in Belém an “act of courage.”

What Lula called “courage” proved to be irresponsible stubbornness that humiliated Brazil internationally.

The $1.5 Billion That Didn’t Buy Dignity

Let’s talk money. $800 million federal + $700 million state = $1.5 billion spent. Including related construction, we easily exceeded $1.5 billion total.

With this fortune, Brazil delivered: diesel air conditioning blowing hot air, bathrooms closed during the event, diesel-contaminated water, electrocution risk, and indoor temperatures above 95°F.

$55 Million Project With Overpricing

The Nova Doca Linear Park cost $55 million. However, it was reported to the Federal Court of Accounts for suspected overpricing before the asphalt even failed.

The pattern repeats: billions spent, overpricing investigated, questionable quality.

German Journalists Weren’t the Only Ones

Let’s be honest: German journalists just had the courage to admit it publicly. International journalists with fans told G1: “It’s a stinking sauna, not a global summit.”

An African delegate told Bloomberg: “They ask us for emission cuts, but the host burns the planet to dance samba on board” — referring to Lula’s luxury yacht.

Lula’s Green Hypocrisy

While Lula preached “COP without luxury,” he and Janja sailed on a yacht while people ate $5 snacks. The hypocrisy was as thick as the conference’s diesel air.

Merz: Arrogant or Honest?

Let’s get to the central question: Was Merz arrogant or just honest? Actually, he did something Brazilians should appreciate: he publicly exposed incompetence the government tried to hide.

First, he didn’t lie — he just reported a fact: no German journalist wanted to stay in Belém. He wasn’t alone — the UN, African delegates, and international journalists said the same.

The Truth That Hurts

The truth hurts. It’s easier to attack the German Chancellor as “arrogant” than to acknowledge that Brazil wasted $1.5 billion on an international embarrassment.

Clearly, when the mayor and governor attack the messenger instead of fixing problems, they demonstrate exactly why COP30 was a disaster.

The Real Legacy: International Shame

What will be COP30’s legacy? Not “Brazilian climate leadership.” Instead, it will be remembered as: the first COP where the UN sent a letter complaining about bathrooms, a climate conference powered by diesel blowing hot air, a $1.5 billion event with electrocution risk, and a presidential cocktail party where nobody showed up.

Conclusion: Merz Deserved Apologies, Not Attacks

In summary, Friedrich Merz wasn’t arrogant — he was honest. He said publicly what all participants thought but were too polite to express.

Brazil spent $1.5 billion. It delivered a stinking diesel sauna with filthy bathrooms and electrocution risk. When the German Chancellor says everyone wanted to leave, it’s not arrogance — it’s an UNDERSTATEMENT.

Finally, instead of attacking Merz, the Lula government should thank him for exposing incompetence before the next $1.5 billion is wasted on another international fiasco.

Friedrich Merz: thank you for your honesty. Brazilians deserve to know the truth about how $1.5 billion in taxes was turned into national shame.

Do you think Merz was arrogant or honest? Should the government apologize instead of attacking? Share in the comments!