( Spanish) — Former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva was elected to a third term in Brazil after a close competition against his opponent, current President Jair Bolsonaro, who was elected in 2018 and will end his presidential term on December 31.
Lula, who was once considered the most influential person in the world, according to TIME magazine, and later accused of corruption and money laundering, sent to prison and finally released after his conviction was overturned, was politically resurrected after a hard-fought presidential campaign against Bolsonaro, and won in a runoff election with just over 50% of the vote in a highly divided country.
Politicians from around the world, leaders and celebrities reacted to Lula’s victory, many celebrating his victory and the new era that is coming for Brazil.
Latin American leaders celebrate Lula’s return
From Mexico to Argentina, political leaders sent messages to the president-elect of Brazil and pointed out that Lula’s victory is the beginning of a new era in regional politics.
This they said:
President of Argentina, Alberto Fernandez
Congratulations @LulaOfficial! Your victory opens a new time for the history of Latin America. A time of hope and future that begins today.
Here you have a partner to work with and dream big about the good life of our peoples. pic.twitter.com/ozfyBVpk4f
– Alberto Fernández (@alferdez) October 30, 2022
Vice President of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner
Today more than ever, love and lots of happiness. Thank you people of Brazil. Thank you, comrade Lula, for restoring joy and hope to our South America. pic.twitter.com/tEG9uYlJsk
– Cristina Kirchner (@CFKArgentina) October 30, 2022
President of Chile, Gabriel Boric
Lula. Happiness! https://t.co/ORsTb06D8y
— Gabriel Boric Font (@gabrielboric) October 30, 2022
President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro
Long live Lula.
– Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) October 30, 2022
Vice President of Colombia, Francia Márquez
The Brazilian people once again gave their vote of confidence to Luis Inácio #Lula Da Silva @LulaOfficial to whom I send an ancestral hug and extend my congratulations.
May wisdom be with you in this new stage directing the destinies of this sister nation. ????. pic.twitter.com/BH4557rhTx
– Francia Márquez Mina (@FranciaMarquezM) October 30, 2022
Bolivian President Luis Arce
Congratulations brother @LulaOfficialpresident-elect of #Brazil!
Your victory strengthens democracy and Latin American integration. We are sure that you will lead the Brazilian people along the path of peace, progress and social justice.
Jallalla Brazil ??! pic.twitter.com/GSznOi89ih– Luis Alberto Arce Catacora (Lucho Arce) (@LuchoXBolivia) October 30, 2022
President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel
#LulaPresidente2022. #Cuba Congratulations, dear friend. They delayed your victory with heinous methods, but they couldn’t prevent you from winning with the vote of the people. Came back @LulaOfficialreturn the @ptbrasilsocial justice will return. pic.twitter.com/TuQT0KIFYG
– Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) October 30, 2022
President of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso
I congratulate @LulaOfficial for his election as president of the Federative Republic of Brazil. In democracy, we will continue to strengthen friendship and cooperation between our countries, for better days for our citizens. Our region continues to integrate in plurality.
— Guillermo Lasso (@LassoGuillermo) October 30, 2022
Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei
We congratulate the Brazilian people, who after participating in the electoral process ratify their commitment to democracy in the region. From Guatemala we wish the new government a successful management. ?????
– Alejandro Giammattei (@DrGiammattei) October 30, 2022
President of Honduras, Xiomara Castro
Congratulations @LulaOfficial, friend in solidarity with the struggle in Honduras (2009), faced the most conservative powers in history, and together with the people of Brazil has defeated them. Latin America is reborn with hope in a true humanist process of change and liberation. pic.twitter.com/vdXqluY9aH
– Xiomara Castro de Zelaya (@XiomaraCastroZ) October 31, 2022
President of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador
Lula won, blessed people of Brazil. There will be equality and humanism. pic.twitter.com/2nCg5yo5UD
– Andrés Manuel (@lopezobrador_) October 30, 2022
The Nicaraguan government said in a statement signed by President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, that they celebrated Lula’s victory.
“With joy we celebrate their well-deserved victory, praying to God to give them health, strength and much love to build together and encouraged the future of their great country, the well-being of families and continue contributing to the search for peace in the world” , says the presidential statement, greeting Lula.
President of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo
I salute the Brazilian people for their democratic electoral contest, and I congratulate the newly elected president @LulaOfficial, wishing you the best of success. We hope to continue traveling together the path of friendship and cooperation for the benefit of our nations. ????
– Nito Cortizo (@NitoCortizo) October 30, 2022
President of Peru, Pedro Castillo
Peru congratulates the president-elect of Brazil, the comrade @LulaOfficial, worker, trade unionist, fighter. His victory is essential to strengthen the unity of Latin America and the social justice of the Great Homeland. https://t.co/hN8Ge3yEnW
– Pedro Castillo Terrones (@PedroCastilloTe) October 30, 2022
Foreign Minister of El Salvador, Alexandra Hill Tinoco
We extend our congratulations to @LulaOfficialwho, in the second round of elections held this day, was elected as the new president of Brazil.
We express El Salvador’s willingness to strengthen the bonds of friendship between our brother peoples. ????
— Alexandra Hill Tinoco (@ChancellorAleHT) October 31, 2022
President of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou
We salute the president-elect of Brazil @LulaOfficial
We trust to work for a modern Mercosur that is open to the world.
Likewise, we hope to continue and improve the very good bilateral relations.– Luis Lacalle Pou (@LuisLacallePou) October 30, 2022
President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro
We celebrate the victory of the Brazilian people, who this #30octthey chose @LulaOfficial as its new President. Long live the peoples determined to be free, sovereign and independent! Today in Brazil democracy triumphed. Congratulations Luna! A big hug! pic.twitter.com/asnkPLhsNh
– Nicolas Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) October 30, 2022
Some former presidents and leaders of the region also greeted Lula after his victory:
Former President of Argentina, Mauricio Macri:
I want to congratulate the Brazilian people for this democratic day @LulaOfficial for being elected President of Brazil. I hope we continue working to strengthen the bond between our countries????
– Mauricio Macri (@mauriciomacri) October 31, 2022
Former President of Bolivia, Evo Morales
Congratulations soul brother @LulaOfficial for being elected for the 3rd time president of #Brazil. We are sure that he will return to work for the poorest and will restore the dignity and sovereignty of his country in its foreign relations. The Great Homeland hugs you brother! pic.twitter.com/ymMkmDNn0Z
– Evo Morales Ayma (@evoespueblo) October 30, 2022
Former Colombian President Ernesto Samper
Lula’s victory is a victory for Brazilians, for Latin America, for the South of the planet and for the hope of the world’s poor. Lula is also the possibility that a new solidarity model of development led by a new UNASUR will open up in South America.
– Ernesto Samper Pizano (@ernestosamperp) October 30, 2022
Former President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa
When Lula was imprisoned to prevent him from being a candidate, they not only stole his freedom, they also stole democracy from Brazil.
They did the same in Ecuador with a ridiculous sentence for “psychic influence.”
In ?? the popular revenge will be even greater.
Long live the Great Country! pic.twitter.com/N3do4yegBa– Rafael Correa (@MashiRafael) October 30, 2022
Former President of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, husband of President Xiomara Castro
Won @LulaOfficial against coup fascism. pic.twitter.com/AHCGWag4PX
– Manuel Zelaya R. (@manuelzr) October 31, 2022
World leaders send congratulations to Lula
Presidents of various countries around the world sent their congratulations to the elected president of Brazil, signaling the return of the left to Brazil.
This is what some of the world leaders said:
President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez
Congratulations, @LulaOfficialfor your victory in these elections in which Brazil has decided to bet on progress and hope.
Let’s work together for social justice, equality and against climate change.
Your successes will be those of the Brazilian people.
Parabens, Lula! https://t.co/SWp3mmhGnX
– Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) October 30, 2022
French President Emmanuel Macron
“All my congratulations, dear @LulaOficial, for your election that opens a new page in the history of Brazil,” Macron wrote.
Toutes month congratulations, dear @LulaOfficial, pour ton election qui ouvre une nouvelle page de l’histoire du Brésil. Ensemble, nous allons unite us forces to relieve the names of the common ones and renew the bond of friendship between our deux pays.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 30, 2022
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
“The people of Brazil have spoken,” Trudeau wrote.
The people of Brazil have spoken. I’m looking forward to working with @LulaOfficial to strengthen the partnership between our countries, to deliver results for Canadians and Brazilians, and to advance shared priorities – like protecting the environment. Congratulations, Lula!
—Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 30, 2022
US President Joe Biden
US President Joe Biden also congratulated Lula on his victory and issued a statement saying he looked forward to working with the president-elect and continuing US-Brazil cooperation in the coming months and years. .
I send my congratulations to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his election to be the next president of Brazil following free, fair, and credible elections. I look forward to working together to continue the cooperation between our two countries in the months and years ahead.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 31, 2022
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken congratulated the people of Brazil for “voting and reaffirming the strength of their democracy.”
Congratulations to the Brazilian people for exercising their right to vote and reaffirming the strength of their democracy. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with President-Elect @LulaOfficial as we build a democratic, prosperous, and equitable hemisphere.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) October 31, 2022
Representative to the US House, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
LULA ?
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 31, 2022
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio, also an environmental activist. he pointed out that with the results of the Brazilian election comes the “opportunity to change the course of history” in the Amazon and in the world.
The outcome of the Brazilian election presents an opportunity to change the course of history, not just for Brazil & the Amazon, but for the world.
(?: João Paulo Krajewski) pic.twitter.com/twRASHWg2G— Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) October 30, 2022
