Renato Rabelo, a prominent figure in Brazilian politics and former national president of the Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB), passed away at the age of 83 in São Paulo after a three-year battle with cancer. The news was confirmed by the PCdoB in an official statement. His death marks the end of an era for many in the party and political left in Brazil, as Rabelo was a key figure during significant political movements throughout his life.

Born on February 22, 1942, in Ubaíra, Bahia, Rabelo began his political career within student movements, notably serving as vice-president of the National Union of Students (UNE) during the military dictatorship. In the 1970s, he became involved with the Marxist-Leninist Popular Action (APML), which later merged into the PCdoB. His activism was notably intensified following the tragic events of the Lapa massacre in 1976, prompting him to seek refuge in France due to political persecution.

Rabelo's contributions to the PCdoB and his dedication to leftist ideologies have left a lasting impact on Brazilian politics. His funeral will take place on Monday, where a cremation ceremony will follow the wake at the Palácio do Trabalhador in São Paulo's Liberdade neighborhood, allowing friends and supporters to pay their final respects to a man who shaped a significant part of Brazil’s political history.