Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been re-elected president of Brazil, securing a fourth term after defeating Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a runoff election held on Sunday, October 25. Lula won 64,256,232 votes, representing 51.79% of valid ballots, while Bolsonaro garnered 59,826,041 votes, or 48.21% — a margin of more than 4.4 million votes.
Among Brazilians living abroad, Lula also secured a majority, receiving 200,154 votes (53.86%), compared with Bolsonaro’s 171,497 (46.14%).
The result carries significance beyond Brazil’s borders. As Latin America’s largest economy and an influential voice in international affairs, Brazil has seen Lula’s re-election has prompted reactions from world leaders across several continents, offering a glimpse into the diplomatic priorities and expectations surrounding his new term.
Latin America: Democracy, Integration, and Shared Challenges
Across Latin America, leaders welcomed the election result and emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships with Brazil. Their messages highlighted regional integration, economic development, and cooperation on shared challenges.
Claudia Sheinbaum — President of Mexico:
“Long live democracy, the people of Brazil won. Congratulations, President Lula!”
Santiago Peña — President of Paraguay:
“Congratulations @LulaOficial on your election as President of Brazil. I salute the Brazilian people for this great democratic journey. Paraguay and Brazil share a common agenda of integration and development. We will continue working together for the well-being of our people.”
Rodrigo Paz — President of Bolivia:
Yamandú Orsi — President of Uruguay:
“I just spoke with the president-elect of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a friend. I congratulated him on the victory and on the democratic celebration that an electoral process represents.”
José Antonio Kast — President of Chile:
“I just spoke with the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and congratulated him on the election result. Chile and Brazil have a lot of shared futures ahead, and we will continue working on an agenda that strengthens relations between our countries in economic integration and the fight against organized crime in the region.”
Keiko Fujimori — Peru:
Daniel Noboa — President of Ecuador:
Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez — President of Cuba:
“Dear brother @LulaOficial, on behalf of the Cuban government and people, I congratulate you for this historic victory that ensures the continuity of the path of peace, sovereignty, and social justice embarked upon by the Brazilian people under your leadership. #Brazil can count on #Cuba in the construction of the unity and integration of our Great Homeland, Latin American and Caribbean.”
José Raúl Mulino — President of Panama:
“I congratulate the Brazilian people for this democratic day and especially President @LulaOficial for the victory! We will continue working together for our countries.”
argentina:
Argentine government spokesperson Adrián Ravier stated during a press conference that Argentina recognizes the election results, but that President Javier Milei will neither congratulate Lula on his victory nor comment further on the outcome. Ravier also claimed that President Lula did not congratulate Milei following his election victory in 2023. However, this claim is inaccurate, as evidenced by a post published on the Brazilian president’s official X account:
Europe: Multilateralism, Climate, and Political Alignment
European leaders also welcomed Lula’s re-election, with their statements emphasizing diplomatic cooperation, international institutions, climate ambitions, and economic relations.
Ursula von der Leyen — President of the European Commission:
“Congratulations to my friend @LulaOficial on his electoral victory. Democracy and multilateralism have won in Brazil. Europe’s partnership with Brazil is thriving. We will remain by your side for the years to come. Together we will keep working closely for free and open trade. A rules-based global order. And strong ambitions for our climate.”
Pedro Sánchez — Prime Minister of Spain:
Emmanuel Macron — President of France:
“My heartfelt congratulations @LulaOficial on your re-election. France and Brazil have much to build together. In the face of the great challenges of our time, let us strengthen our strategic partnership and bring to life the friendship between our two countries in service of a more just world.”
António José Seguro — President of Portugal:
Global Partnerships: Asia, Russia, and the Middle East
Beyond the Americas and Europe, leaders from Asia, Russia, and the Middle East also congratulated Lula, highlighting the potential to maintain or expand bilateral relations and cooperation on international issues.
China – On official note:
“China has noted that Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court has announced President Lula has won the second round of the Brazilian general election, and expresses its congratulations,” foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular briefing, adding that Beijing was “willing to work with Brazil to continue advancing the building of a China-Brazil community with a shared future”.
Asked about Bolsonaro saying he would request an annulment of the elections, Guo said: “China respects the choice of the Brazilian people.”
Vladimir Putin — President of Russia:
“President #Putin congratulated @LulaOficial on his re-election as President of Brazil. Your personal contribution to strengthening the strategic partnership between Brazil & Russia cannot be overstated.”
Narendra Modi — Prime Minister of India:
Lee Jae Myung — President of South Korea:
“My esteemed friend and comrade, President Lula (@LulaOficial), I extend my congratulations on your election with greater joy than anyone. I believe that, based on the trust and expectations bestowed by the Brazilian people, you will continue to play a significant role going forward. I sincerely cheer for you to advance vigorously toward the future of Brazil that you have envisioned. Cherishing the memories of the stories and laughter we shared, I eagerly await the day we meet again. Once again, my heartfelt congratulations!”
Mahmoud Abbas — President of Palestine:
Abdollah Nekounam Ghadirli — Iranian Ambassador to Brazil:
Benjamin Netanyahu – Prime Minister of Israel:
“In South America, although it seems Brazil has not completed the shift, there are at least eight or nine countries that have already moved to our side. We are developing new possibilities.”
The Americas Beyond Latin America
Other leaders in the Western Hemisphere also highlighted the opportunities Lula’s new mandate could bring to bilateral relations, with an emphasis on economic cooperation, regional prosperity, and environmental protection.
Mark Carney — Prime Minister of Canada:
“Congratulations, President @LulaOficial, on your re-election in Brazil. Relations between Canada and Brazil have advanced thanks to our partnership. 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.”
Irfaan Ali — President of Guyana:
Zohran Mamdani — Mayor of New York City:
“The people united will never be defeated! Congratulations, President Lula.”
Donald J. Trump – President of the United States of America:
It’s“ honestly a terrible look (…) I didn’t take sides, but it looked like a rigged election (…) I didn’t take sides”
When asked if he was going to do something about the Brazilian election, he answered: “I’m not running Brazil. I’m running the U.S. I like Lula. I get along with him very well, but the extension given was very strange. ”
President Trump takes a different stance than most of the countries that congratulated the reelected president Lula, he questions the accuracy of the election and reinforces that he didn’t take sides. Despite some media outlets calling Flávio Bolsonaro his ally, for being a right-wing candidate and having a pro U.S. approach – contrary to Lula that always makes sure to say that Brazil is a sovereign country – Trump didn’t claim to support Flávio during this run, only stating that he was “closely watching” the election.
What the International Reactions Reveal
The messages sent to Lula following his re-election offer a snapshot of Brazil’s place in international affairs. Across different regions, leaders repeatedly referred to democracy and the need to address challenges that cross national borders.
At the same time, the statements reveal different priorities. Some leaders focused on regional integration and bilateral trade; others emphasized climate policy, multilateral institutions, or the political significance of Lula’s victory. Together, they illustrate the range of expectations surrounding Brazil’s next presidential term.
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The article above was edited by Rafaela Mina.
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