Canada, as well as the US, infiltrated and spied on the Brazilian Energy Ministry, a new leak by Edward Snowden has revealed. The leaked documents show how the data gleaned through espionage was shared with international spy network the ‘Five Eyes.’
Newly-released documents handed over to Guardian journalist Glenn
Greenwald by former CIA employee Edward Snowden describe in
detail how Canadian intelligence infiltrated Brazil’s Energy and
Mines Ministry.
“I was overwhelmed by the power of the tools used. The
Ministry of Energy and Mines was totally dissected,” security
expert Paulo Pagliusi told Brazilian program Fantastico, which first reported on the leak.
The program showed documents from a meeting of the ‘Five Eyes’
spy network, comprising the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand and
Australia, in June of last year. In a presentation the
Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSRC) – the
Canadian version of the NSA – outlined how they used a program
called Olympia to break through the Brazilian ministry’s
encryption.
The information gleaned from the ministry was then shared with
all of the members of the ‘Five Eyes.’
“They [Five Eyes] are sharing all the information, handing
over documents to let other countries know exactly what they are
doing,” said Glen Greenwald.
As a result of the infiltration of the ministry over an
unspecified period, the CSCE developed a detailed map of the
institution’s communications. As well as monitoring email and
electronic communications, the CSCE also eavesdropped on
telephone conversations. Able to identify mobile numbers, SIM
card registrations and the make of a phone, Olympia even snooped
on former Brazilian ambassador to Canada Paulo Cordeiro.
Canada has so far refused to comment on the reports of its spy
program. Brazil’s Minister of Mines and Energy Edison Lobao told
Fantastico that the reports were “serious” and should be
condemned.
Canada is one of the world’s leading energy producers and has
significant economic interests in Brazil.
“Canada has interests in Brazil, especially in the mining
sector. Does this spying serve the commercial interests of select
groups? I cannot say,” observed Lobao.
‘No economic espionage’
Previously, Brazilian newspaper Globo News reported that the NSA
was monitoring Brazil’s state oil giant Petrobras. Washington reacted to the allegations,
stating that the US “does not engage in economic
espionage.” The Obama administration has said on a number of
occasions that US covert surveillance is in the interests of
protecting US national security.
Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff has condemned the reports of
the NSA’s surveillance of Brazil and demanded the US account for
its actions.
As a consequence, the Brazilian head of state postponed an official visit to Washington in
October. Rousseff has also taken measures to tighten Brazilian
internet security.
“I have sent an internet draft bill to Congress, an initiative
that will protect the privacy of Brazilians,” Rousseff wrote
on Twitter on Sunday. The government is expected to vote on the
bill in the coming weeks.
Back in September, Rousseff slammed the US for “economic
espionage,” dismissing US claims the NSA spying is a
preventative measure to ensure national security. Addressing the
UN General Assembly, President Rousseff stated that state-run
Petrobras is "no threat to the security of any country.
Rather, it represents one of the greatest assets of the world's
oil and the heritage of the Brazilian people."