Brazil's Lula, 80, launches bid for fourth term amid Trump influence

At 80 years old, Brazilian President Lula da Silva has officially launched his campaign for a fourth term, declaring himself "in great shape" to seek a final mandate in the October election. Speaking to approximately 3,000 supporters in São Paulo, the leftist leader vowed to "fight against old age" and continue his work, drawing a football analogy to compare his seventh candidacy to players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo playing in multiple World Cups. He assured supporters this would be his last term, after which he plans to "go on vacation to coo" with his wife.

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I want to fight against old age. I don't want to walk dragging my feet.

Lula, who returned to power in 2023 after two previous terms (2003-2010), will face Flavio Bolsonaro, a 45-year-old senator and son of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. Jair Bolsonaro is currently detained for attempting to remain in power after his 2022 election defeat.

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I will play a seventh one: my seventh candidacy. This will be the last one.

The campaign is significantly shaped by the influence of former U.S. President Donald Trump, a known ally of the Bolsonaro family, who has recently backed several right-wing candidates in Latin America. The United States imposed tariffs on Brazilian goods in July, citing unfair trade practices, though some were later lifted after a brief period of improved relations between Lula and Trump.

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be ready so that no one invades this country

While Lula did not directly mention Trump, themes of defending "sovereignty" and combating foreign "interventionism" were prominent. Speaking before a large Brazilian flag, Lula emphasized the need to "be ready so that no one invades this country" and called for increased military spending. He also asserted that "neither the Chinese, nor the Americans, nor the French will touch our rare earths."

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neither the Chinese, nor the Americans, nor the French will touch our rare earths.