Lula’s defeat of Bolsonaro in Brazil denies Trump an ally

Brazilian voters re-elected leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Sunday with 51.8% of the vote, defeating conservative challenger Flávio Bolsonaro and ending a streak of seven straight right-wing presidential victories across Latin America in 18 months. The result denies U.S. President Donald Trump a key ally in the Western Hemisphere, cementing Brazil as a counterweight to Washington. Lula has resisted joining the U.S.-led military coalition against cartels and fast-tracked legislation to tighten oversight of critical minerals after a U.S.-backed firm acquired a Brazilian rare earth mine. Analysts say Lula remains pragmatic and may negotiate with Trump on tariffs and investment, but his leverage is strong given Brazil's vast rare earth reserves and niobium production. His domestic agenda faces challenges from a conservative Congress, while the region's rightward shift shows signs of fading.