Numerous heads of state and political leaders from Latin America have conveyed their congratulations to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva following his victory as elected president of Brazil, after defeating the candidate of the Liberal Party (PL), Flávio Bolsonaro, in the second round of the elections. Once the counting was confirmed, which makes Lula the first candidate since the return of democracy in the country to overcome an initial disadvantage in the first round, the leaders of the region have emphasized the institutional solidity of the electoral event and the intention to advance in closer bilateral cooperation.
From Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum has reacted by stating that "the people of Brazil won." In the same vein, the leader of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, has defined the result as a "historic victory that guarantees the continuity of the path of peace, sovereignty, and social justice." In turn, the Government of Venezuela has issued a statement celebrating the "strong demonstration of civic and democratic participation" and reiterates its purpose of preserving neighborhood ties and Latin American solidarity.
The president of Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz, has emphasized that both countries share "a history and common challenges," committing to promote new joint opportunities. From Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi has reported that he had a direct phone conversation with the elected president, whom he described as "a friend," to convey his best wishes for what he considered a "democratic celebration."
The idea of relaunching a regional agenda has also been present in the messages from the other leaders. The president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, has insisted that the continent faces "common enemies and shared challenges," advocating for the advantages of acting in a coordinated manner. In a similar tone, the president of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, has called to strengthen a "common agenda of integration and development," while the president of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, has expressed his willingness to continue cooperation for the benefit of both nations.
For his part, the president of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, has expressed his aspiration that in this new term there is progress towards "a more integrated and prosperous Latin America." Finally, the Peruvian political leader Keiko Fujimori has joined the expressions of support, emphasizing the importance of consolidating the bilateral strategic alliance and prioritizing "the sustainable development of the Amazon" in light of the bicentennial of their diplomatic relations.