Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won another term in office, drawing congratulations from Democratic lawmakers and world leaders — while President Donald Trump has remained publicly silent about the victory of one of his most outspoken critics.
Lula, widely known simply as Lula, defeated Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, in Sunday’s election. The victory gives Lula an unprecedented fourth presidential term and delivers another win for the Brazilian left at a time when right-wing movements have gained ground across Latin America.
The result also puts a spotlight on the political divide between Lula and Trump, who previously supported Jair Bolsonaro, often described as Brazil’s version of Trump.
Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year prison sentence after being convicted over an attempted coup following his defeat in Brazil’s 2022 presidential election.
While Trump has not publicly commented on Lula’s reelection, Democratic lawmakers were quick to celebrate the result and frame it as a victory for democracy.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) congratulated Lula, saying Brazilian voters had rejected authoritarianism.
“Yesterday, Brazil showed the world that the will of the people is stronger than the authoritarians who try to suppress it. Congratulations President @LulaOficial and congratulations Brazil,” she wrote on X.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who hosted Lula during a state visit last month, also celebrated the Brazilian president’s victory.
“The people united will never be defeated! Congratulations, President Lula,” Mamdani wrote, invoking a famous Latin American protest slogan associated with left-wing movements.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who caucuses with Democrats, praised Lula for his support of workers and democracy.
“Congratulations to Lula on his extraordinary reelection victory in the Brazilian presidential election,” Sanders wrote. “Lula has stood up for Brazilian workers & democracy — and will continue to do so in the next four years.”
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) credited Lula’s victory to “fighting back against extremism” and called on Trump to respect the election results rather than undermine Brazil’s democratic process.
Other Democrats also weighed in. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said voters in one of the world’s largest democracies had made their choice and urged everyone to respect the electoral process.
Rep. Greg Meeks (D-N.Y.), the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, likewise congratulated Lula and urged the Trump administration to support Brazil’s democratic process and respect the will of its voters.
Trump’s Silence Stands Out.
Trump has not publicly addressed Lula’s victory, despite his support for Bolsonaro and the political similarities between the former Brazilian president and the American president.
Lula, meanwhile, has been an outspoken critic of Trump’s approach to international affairs.
World Leaders Rally Behind Lula
Congratulations also came from leaders across the Americas, Europe and Asia, highlighting Brazil’s importance on the global stage.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, one of the region’s prominent left-wing leaders, celebrated the result with a short message on X.
“Long live democracy, the people of Brazil won,” she wrote.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney congratulated Lula and pointed to opportunities to deepen ties between the two countries.
“Our relationship has flourished under our partnership,” Carney wrote, adding that the countries should work together to expand trade, protect the environment and create greater prosperity.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also congratulated Lula, calling him “my friend” and describing the result as a win for democracy and multilateralism.
“Democracy and multilateralism have won in Brazil. Europe’s partnership with Brazil is thriving,” she wrote. She also emphasized cooperation on free trade, the rules-based international order and climate goals.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose country partners with Brazil through the BRICS grouping, offered what he called his “heartiest of congratulations to my dear friend,” describing Lula’s victory as “remarkable.”
Modi said he looked forward to expanding cooperation between India and Brazil, including on shared priorities for developing countries.
A Significant Result for Latin America
Lula’s reelection comes as political movements on the right have made gains in several Latin American countries, leaving Brazil among the region’s most prominent governments led by the left.
His victory gives him another four years to pursue his domestic agenda and shape Brazil’s relationships with major powers, including the United States, China, India and European nations.
The international response also underscores how closely Brazil’s political direction is watched beyond its borders. Leaders have already linked Lula’s win to democracy, trade, climate policy and cooperation among developing nations.
