Artur Henrique da Silva Santos, former CUT president, dies

Artur Henrique da Silva Santos, a prominent figure in the Brazilian labor movement and former president of the Central Única dos Trabalhadores (CUT), has passed away at the age of 65. His death occurred on Monday, September 14, 2026, following a period of health struggles.

Henrique served two consecutive terms as president of CUT between 2006 and 2012. During his leadership, he was instrumental in advocating for the valorization of the minimum wage, the expansion of formal employment, and the strengthening of social dialogue with the federal government.

His political trajectory began in the urban worker sector, specifically within Sinergia Campinas in São Paulo. A technician in Electrotechnics and a sociologist, he rose through the ranks of the labor movement, serving in various leadership roles within the energy sector and the CUT national directorate before reaching the presidency. Various labor organizations, including the Central dos Trabalhadores e Trabalhadoras do Brasil (CTB), have expressed condolences, noting his commitment to democracy, national sovereignty, and workers' rights.