Lula wins Brazil presidential election, rejecting Trump's regional strategy

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won Brazil's presidential election on October 25, 2026, beating Flávio Bolsonaro with 51.8% of the vote.

This is the first time a candidate in Brazil has won after finishing behind in the first round. Lula ran on the slogan "Brazil belongs to Brazilians," pushing back against pressure from the United States.

The US had wanted Brazil as a partner in a military coalition against drug cartels. It also wanted easier access to Brazil's rare earth minerals, which are among the largest reserves in the world. The Trump administration had supported Bolsonaro and imposed trade tariffs on Brazil during the campaign.