União de Maricá, a samba school established by Brazil’s Workers' Party (PT) in 2015, has achieved a significant milestone by winning the Golden League championship and earning a spot in Rio de Janeiro's prestigious Special Group for the 2027 Carnival. In an extraordinary turn of events, the school’s victory came despite suffering a setback when an accident during the parade resulted in the injury of four individuals, leading to a deduction in their score for finishing the parade two minutes late and incurring a two-tenth penalty.

The parade, which took place at the iconic Marquês de Sapucaí, was marred by a fire hazard on one of the floats and a collision involving another float with a barricade where staff were stationed. Unfortunately, these incidents left one person with a serious injury, including a fractured limb. Regardless of these challenges, the União de Maricá's triumph demonstrates the school's resilience and the organizational support it received, notably through substantial funding from the local government amounting to R$ 8 million, which has been consistently awarded for two consecutive years.

With this victory, União de Maricá will take the place of Acadêmicos de Niterói, a samba school that has been relegated after presenting a theme focused on President Lula's life, which signifies a shift in the Carnival landscape. Washington Quaquá, a prominent figure in the PT and a key influencer in the samba community, serves as the honorary president of the school, indicating the political alignment and community support that has played a role in this remarkable achievement for União de Maricá as they prepare for a grand showcase in 2027.