SÃO PAULO — World leaders and international organizations have sent a wave of congratulatory messages to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva following his historic re-election victory in Sunday’s presidential runoff.
The 80-year-old leftist veteran secured an unprecedented fourth presidential term after narrowly defeating his far-right challenger, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, in a deeply polarized contest.
Addressing thousands of jubilant supporters in São Paulo late Sunday night, Lula described his electoral triumph as a “victory for democracy and multilateralism,” pledging to protect the nation’s democratic institutions and unite the country.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was among the first global leaders to congratulate Lula, declaring that “democracy and multilateralism have won in Brazil” while reaffirming the European Union’s commitment to strong climate action, open trade, and regional partnerships.
Latin American heads of state also extended warm felicitations. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum celebrated the outcome, stating that “democracy and the people of Brazil have won,” while regional counterparts across Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia reiterated commitments to South American economic integration and bilateral cooperation.
The diplomatic responses come amid ongoing domestic political tension after Senator Flávio Bolsonaro refused to immediately concede the election, with opposition legal representatives hinting at formal challenges to the results.
However, international electoral observers confirmed that the voting process across the South American nation was conducted transparently and peacefully.
