In their words: Global leaders congratulate Trump critic Lula on reelection in Brazil

Regional and world leaders congratulated Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva after he defeated challenger Flávio Bolsonaro to win an unprecedented fourth term.

Latin America’s left-leaning leaders were especially quick to react, but conservative presidents across the region also acknowledged Lula's victory and emphasized the need for their countries to cooperate with Brazil on issues like fighting organized crime and reducing deforestation in the Amazon basin.

U.S. President Donald Trump had not acknowledged the election result by Monday afternoon and suggested, without providing evidence, that the vote count could have been “rigged” in Lula's favor.

“Elections have to be indisputable and it looked very bad to me,” Trump told reporters before flying to Mississippi for a rally. He added, “I thought it had a very bad look, the way it was tabulated.”

In South America, the government of Argentina’s President Javier Milei was the only one that had not publicly acknowledged the result by Monday afternoon. After a Cabinet meeting Monday, Milei’s office issued a statement addressing several international developments, including the wars in Iran and Ukraine, but made no mention of the election outcome in neighboring Brazil. During the presidential campaign, the libertarian leader openly backed Bolsonaro and called Lula a “corrupt thief.”

Lula remains a revered figure on the region’s left, having governed Brazil from 2003 to 2010, when leftist leaders held power across much of Latin America. Over the past two years, however, Lula's influence in South America has diminished, as most of Brazil's neighbors elected right-wing governments aligned with the Trump administration.

Since returning to office in 2023, Lula has been a vocal Trump critic, challenging the administration on issues like trade tariffs and its support for Israel's actions in the West Bank and Gaza.

On Monday, Lula was also congratulated by the leaders of the BRICS nations, an alliance of emerging economies that was designed to challenge Western dominance in international affairs. Brazil is a founding member of the alliance, which held its first summit in 2009, during Lula's second term in office.

The leaders of major European nations also congratulated Lula, expressing their willingness to work with Brazil on issues like climate change.

Mexico: President Claudia Sheinbaum

Long live democracy, the people of Brazil won. Congratulations, President Lula!

Cuba: President Miguel Díaz-Canel

Dear brother Lula, 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 America and the Caribbean.

Colombia: President Abelardo de la Espriella

President Lula and I have big, profound political and ideological differences, but we agree on something fundamental: Brazil and Colombia mutually need each other. We have a lot to do for the benefit of our people. Mutual respect, sovereignty and cooperation should define our relationship as well as the fight against narcoterrorism, illegal mining, the protection of the Amazon and the welfare of our people.

Chile: President José Antonio Kast

Chile and Brazil have a lot of shared future 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.

Ecuador: President Daniel Noboa

Congratulations to Lula on this victory. Our region has common enemies, shared challenges and much to gain when we work together.

Peru: President Keiko Fujimori

As we approach the bicentennial of our diplomatic relations, I reaffirm our willingness to strengthen our strategic alliance, integration, cooperation and the sustainable development of the Amazon that we share, for the benefit of both our peoples.

Bolivia: President Rodrigo Paz

Bolivia and Brazil are neighboring and sister countries, united by a shared history and common challenges. We will continue working together to strengthen our relationship and generate more opportunities for our nations.

Paraguay: President Santiago Peña

Congratulations, Lula, for your election as Brazil's president. I salute the Brazilian people for this great democratic day. Paraguay and Brazil share a common agenda of integration and development. We will continue to work together for the benefit of our people.

Costa Rica: President Laura Fernández

Congratulations to the Brazilian people for exercising their right to vote, and for electing their new president in a democratic and peaceful process. I wish the greatest prosperity to the 212 million brothers and sisters who live in the largest country in Latin America.

Argentina: Former President Cristina Kirchner

Congratulations (...) to you, comrade President Lula, who in your seventh presidential election knew how to awaken your compatriots’ passions and their reason to win this battle.

Spain: Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez

A great victory for Lula! What has happened in Brazil will happen in Spain. The comeback of global progressivism has just begun.

France: President Emmanuel Macron

My heartfelt congratulations to Lula on your reelection. 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.

European Commission: President Ursula von der Leyen

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.

US: Sen. Bernie Sanders

Lula has stood up for Brazilian workers & democracy — and will continue to do so in the next four years.

Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

For us in Ukraine, it is important that Brazil remains active in international affairs and continues to contribute to the effective protection of human rights, the rights of peoples, and the rights of states. We thank Brazil for its unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We look forward to expanding our cooperation.

Russia: President Vladimir Putin

The election results fully reaffirmed your fellow citizens’ recognition of your outstanding leadership qualities and their support for your policies aimed at ensuring the country’s sustainable socioeconomic development and defending its sovereignty and legitimate interests on the world stage.

We will, of course, continue working closely together to expand our fruitful bilateral cooperation across all areas and our constructive engagement within the United Nations, BRICS, the G20 and other multilateral frameworks.

India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

My sincerest congratulations to my dear friend, President Lula, on his remarkable victory in the reelection.

Together, we will continue to strengthen our cooperation in various sectors, promote the shared priorities of the global south, and work toward a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world.

China: Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun

China (...) expresses its congratulations. We are ready to work with Brazil to continue advancing the building of a China-Brazil community with a shared future.

South Africa: President Cyril Ramaphosa

This victory will echo beyond the shores of Brazil. It is a victory for the global south and progressive forces throughout the world. We affirm our commitment to continue strengthening bilateral relations between our two countries and working closely together in all multilateral fora to forge a just and better world order underpinned by solidarity and adherence to international law.