Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has won a fourth, non-consecutive term as Brazil’s president after defeating right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in the country’s run-off election.
The result has prompted contrasting reactions internationally, with left-wing figures celebrating Lula’s victory while Bolsonaro called for the vote to be annulled.
Bolsonaro described a two-hour extension to voting time granted by Brazil’s Supreme Court as “unacceptable”.
International reaction to Lula’s victory
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum congratulated Lula in a post on X, writing: “Long live democracy, the people of Brazil won.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Lula’s victory created an opportunity to deepen relations between Canada and Brazil.
“Let us seize this opportunity to strengthen them further, together – to create new promising commercial prospects, protect the environment, and ensure greater prosperity for both our populations,” he said.
In the United States, Donald Trump Jr criticised the result, citing the Brazilian Supreme Court’s decision to extend voting time.
“If a conservative government in Brazil did this, everyone in the mainstream press in America would lose their minds, but I guess they’re just choosing to be silent because it’s all for the cause,” he said.
Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders congratulated Lula on what he called an “extraordinary re-election victory”, saying the Brazilian president had “stood up” for workers and democracy and would continue to do so during his next four-year term.
Congressman Ro Khanna said people around the world were “fighting back against extremism” and that Lula’s win represented a victory for them.
“Authoritarian leaders always attack democracy because they stand no chance against the will of their people,” Khanna wrote. He also said US President Donald Trump “must respect the results and not undermine Brazil’s elections”.
The office of California Governor Gavin Newsom said he was “proud to stand with Brazil and partners around the world who share our commitment to defending democracy, protecting our environment, strengthening workers’ rights, and building an economy that works for working families”.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel described Lula’s result as a “historic” win, saying it ensured the continuation of a path of “peace, sovereignty, and social justice” begun by the Brazilian people under his leadership.
“Brazil can count on Cuba in the construction of the unity and integration of our Great Homeland, Latin American and Caribbean,” Díaz-Canel wrote.
Chile’s President Jose Antonio Kast said he had spoken to Lula by telephone to congratulate him. He said the two countries had “a lot of shared future ahead” and would continue working together on economic integration and the fight against organised crime in the region.
Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz described Bolivia and Brazil as “neighbouring and sister countries, united by a shared history and common challenges”, adding that they would work together to strengthen ties and create more opportunities.
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino congratulated the Brazilian people on their election and Lula on his victory, saying: “We will continue working together for our countries.”
