Lula da Silva wins fourth term in Brazil, vows to defend democracy and sovereignty

Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won a fourth presidential term, defeating Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a runoff with 51.78% of the vote, according to the Superior Electoral Court. Lula's victory speech focused on defending democracy and condemning foreign interference during the campaign, stating, "We defeated foreign intervention through digital platforms, which must be regulated." He also asserted Brazil's political autonomy, declaring, "This country does not accept being anyone's backyard," a reference to U.S. influence in Latin America. The runoff reversed the first-round result from October 4, where Bolsonaro led with 47.03% against Lula's 45.16%. Lula called the election a defeat of negationism and misinformation, while Argentine leaders, including Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Sergio Massa, congratulated him.