Lula’s victory is major setback for Trump’s “Donroe Doctrine” in Latin America

On Lula’s victory in the Brazil presidential election, Dr Vieira said:

“The world should pay close attention to Lula’s historic victory in Brazil’s presidential election. He overturned a first-round defeat by defeating Flávio Bolsonaro in the runoff, marking the first time since Brazil returned to direct presidential elections in 1989 that a candidate who finished second in the first round went on to win.

“There are at least three reasons why Lula’s victory matters for the future of the global order.

“First, Lula’s victory reinforces Brazil’s role in spearheading efforts to protect the Amazon rainforest, with clear implications for global climate patterns, food production and the rights of Indigenous populations living in the region. However, Lula’s record is not without contradictions. His government has combined an active role in international climate negotiations with support for expanding oil production, including exploratory drilling near the mouth of the Amazon. Nevertheless, a Flávio Bolsonaro presidency would have represented a clear threat to efforts to combat global warming, given his campaign’s emphasis on deregulation and scepticism about climate change.

“Second, Lula will now face a major challenge as the leader of South America’s largest economy and one of the region’s most important powers resisting what Trump has called his “Donroe Doctrine”, a policy of expanding US influence and asserting US dominance in the Western Hemisphere. Although it would be premature to claim that the election was won primarily through social media, or that it definitively demonstrates that elections can be won against the combined influence of major technology companies, the US administration and domestic conservative forces, Lula’s victory suggests that resistance remains possible through voter mobilisation, student-led activism and more effective use of digital campaigning.

“Third, Brazil is likely to continue its international activism through forums such as BRICS and the G20, positioning itself as a leading voice in debates over global governance reform and the defence of multilateral institutions. Brazil’s longstanding campaign for reform of the UN Security Council, including a permanent seat for Brazil, is also likely to remain central to its foreign policy. Within BRICS, Brazil is also likely to support efforts to diversify away from US financial dominance and develop collective alternatives to the weaponisation of tariffs by the US administration.

“In a context of growing global uncertainty, the certainty of Lula leading Brazil for the next four years provides an important source of support for other middle powers seeking to rebuild trust in multilateralism and peaceful cooperation.”