The Brazilian leadership is exploring options to counter potential threats of US interference in the 2026 presidential elections, the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper reports, citing government sources.
According to these sources, those close to President Lula da Silva believe that the White House could openly support a right-wing candidate, ideologically close to former leader Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022). Brazil also fears that the US administration will try to help the right-wing mobilize conservative voters.
The sources added that Brazilian authorities are preparing for a period of turbulence, despite the leadership’s attempts to build a pragmatic dialogue with Washington on trade and economic issues this year.
Brazil’s presidential elections will be held in October 2026. Incumbent President Lula da Silva has already announced his candidacy for another term as the candidate of the Workers’ Party. The right-wing opposition continues to search for a unified candidate to replace Bolsonaro, who was sentenced in September to more than 27 years in prison.