(CNN Spanish) — Former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva was elected to a third term in Brazil after a close contest with his opponent, current President Jair Bolsonaro, who was elected in 2018 and will end his presidential term on December 31.
Lula, who was once considered the most influential person in the world according to TIME magazine, and was later accused of corruption and money laundering, sent to prison and finally released after his conviction was overturned, made a political comeback after a tough presidential campaign against Bolsonaro, and won in the second round of elections with slightly more than 50% of the votes in a highly divided country.
Politicians, leaders and celebrities from all over the world reacted to Lula’s victory, many celebrating his victory and the new era that is coming for Brazil.
Latin American leaders celebrate Lula’s return
From Mexico to Argentina, political leaders sent messages to Brazil’s president-elect, saying Lula’s victory was the start of a new era in regional politics.
This is what they said:
President of Argentina, Alberto Fernandez
Congratulations @LulaOfficial! Your victory opens a new era for the history of Latin America. A time of hope and a future that begins today.
Here you have a partner with whom you can work and dream of a good life for our people. pic.twitter.com/ozfyBVpk4f
– Alberto Fernández (@alferdez) October 30, 2022
Vice President of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner
Today more than ever, love and lots of happiness. Thank you to the people of Brazil. Thank you, comrade Lula, for bringing joy and hope back to our South America. pic.twitter.com/tEG9uYlJsk
– Cristina Kirchner (@CFKArgentina) October 30, 2022
President of Chile Gabriel Boric
Pipe. Happiness! https://t.co/ORsTb06D8y
— Gabriel Boric Font (@gabrielboric) October 30, 2022
President of Colombia Gustavo Petro
Long live Lula.
– Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) October 30, 2022
Vice President of Colombia, Francia Márquez
The Brazilian people once again gave their trust to Luis Inácio #Pipe da Silva @LulaOfficial to whom I send a great-grandfather’s hug and send my congratulations.
May wisdom be with you in this new phase of directing the destinies of this sister nation. 🇧🇷🇨🇴. pic.twitter.com/BH4557rhTx
– Francia Márquez Mina (@FranciaMarquezM) October 30, 2022
Bolivian President Luis Arce
All the best bro @LulaOfficialelected president #Brazil!
Your victory strengthens the democracy and integration of Latin America. We are sure that you will lead the Brazilian people on the path of peace, progress and social justice.
¡Jallalla Brasil🇧🇷! pic.twitter.com/GSznOi89ih– Luis Alberto Arce Catacora (Lucho Arce) (@LuchoXBolivia) October 30, 2022
President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel
#LulaPresident2022. #Cuba Congratulations, dear friend. They delayed your victory with heinous methods, but they could not prevent you from winning with the voice of the people. He’s back @LulaOfficialreturn it @ptbrasilsocial justice will return. pic.twitter.com/TuQT0KIFYG
– Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) October 30, 2022
President of Ecuador Guillermo Lasso
Congratulations @LulaOfficial for his election as President of the Federative Republic of Brazil. In democracy, we will continue to strengthen friendship and cooperation between our countries, for better days for our citizens. Our region continues to integrate into plurality.
— Guillermo Lasso (@LassoGuillermo) October 30, 2022
President of Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei
We congratulate the Brazilian people who, after participating in the electoral process, confirmed their commitment to democracy in the region. From Guatemala, we wish the new government successful management. 🇬🇹🤝🇧🇷
– Alejandro Giammattei (@DrGiammattei) October 30, 2022
President of Honduras, Xiomara Castro
Cheers @LulaOfficial, a friend in solidarity with the struggle in Honduras (2009), faced the most conservative forces in history and together with the people of Brazil defeated them. Latin America is reborn with the hope of a truly humanistic process of change and liberation. pic.twitter.com/vdXqluY9aH
– Xiomara Castro de Zelaya (@XiomaraCastroZ) October 31, 2022
President of Mexico Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador
Lula has won, blessed people of Brazil. There will be equality and humanism. pic.twitter.com/2nCg5yo5UD
– Andrés Manuel (@lopezobrador_) October 30, 2022
Nicaragua’s government said in a statement signed by President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo that they celebrated Lula’s victory.
“We celebrate their well-deserved victory with joy, asking God to give them health, strength and lots of love so that together they can build and encourage the future of their great homeland, the well-being of their families and continue to contribute to the search for peace in the world,” reads the presidential statement welcoming Lulu.
President of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo
I welcome the Brazilian people to their democratic election contest and congratulate the newly elected president @LulaOfficial, wishing you much success. We hope to continue traveling together on the path of friendship and cooperation for the benefit of our peoples. 🇵🇦🇧🇷
– Nito Cortizo (@NitoCortizo) October 30, 2022
The President of Peru, Pedro Castillo
Peru congratulates the newly elected president of Brazil, the second @LulaOfficial, worker, trade unionist, fighter. His victory is essential for strengthening the unity of Latin America and the social justice of the Great Motherland. https://t.co/hN8Ge3yEnW
– Pedro Castillo Terrones (@PedroCastilloTe) October 30, 2022
Minister of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador, Alexandra Hill Tinoco
We send our congratulations @LulaOfficialwho was elected as the new president of Brazil in the second round of elections held today.
We express the willingness of El Salvador to strengthen the bonds of friendship between our fraternal nations. 🇸🇻🇧🇷
— Alexandra Hill Tinoco (@CancillerAleHT) October 31, 2022
President of Uruguay Luis Lacalle Pou
We welcome the newly elected president of Brazil @LulaOfficial
We believe that we will work for a modern Mercosur that is open to the world.
Likewise, we hope to continue and improve very good bilateral relations.– Luis Lacalle Pou (@LuisLacallePou) October 30, 2022
President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro
We celebrate the victory of the Brazilian people, who this #October 30they chose @LulaOfficial as its new president. Long live the nations determined to be free, sovereign and independent! Today, democracy triumphed in Brazil. Congratulations Luna! Big hug! pic.twitter.com/asnkPLhsNh
– Nicolas Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) October 30, 2022
Some former presidents and regional leaders also congratulated Lulu after his victory:
Former President of Argentina, Mauricio Macri:
I want to congratulate the Brazilian people on this democratic day @LulaOfficial to be elected president of Brazil. I hope that we will continue to work on strengthening the ties between our countries🇦🇷🇧🇷
– Mauricio Macri (@mauriciomacri) October 31, 2022
Former president of Bolivia, Evo Morales
All the best, soul brother @LulaOfficial elected president for the third time #Brazil. We are sure that he will return to work for the poorest and restore the dignity and sovereignty of his country in foreign relations. The great homeland embraces you, brother! pic.twitter.com/ymMkmDNn0Z
– Evo Morales Ayma (@evoespueblo) October 30, 2022
Former Colombian President Ernesto Samper
Lula’s victory is a victory for Brazilians, for Latin America, for the south of the planet and for the hope of the poor in the world. There is also the possibility of opening a new model of development solidarity in South America led by the new UNASUR.
– Ernesto Samper Pizano (@ernestosamperp) October 30, 2022
Rafael Correa, former president of Ecuador
When Lula was imprisoned to prevent him from being a candidate, not only did they steal his freedom, but they also stole Brazil’s democracy.
They did the same in Ecuador with a ridiculous punishment for “psychic influence”.
In 🇪🇨, the national revenge will be even greater.
Long live the Great Country! pic.twitter.com/N3do4yegBa— Rafael Correa (@MashiRafael) October 30, 2022
Former President of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, husband of President Xiomare Castro
won @LulaOfficial against coup fascism. pic.twitter.com/AHCGWag4PX
– Manuel Zelaya R. (@manuelzr) October 31, 2022
World leaders congratulate Lula
Presidents of various countries around the world sent their congratulations to the president-elect of Brazil, heralding the return of the left in Brazil.
Here’s what some of the world leaders said:
Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez
Congratulations, @LulaOfficialfor your victory in this election in which Brazil decided to bet on progress and hope.
We work together for social justice, equality and against climate change.
Your successes will be the successes of the Brazilian people.
Congratulations, Lulu! https://t.co/SWp3mmhGnX
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) October 30, 2022
French President Emmanuel Macron
“All my congratulations, dear @LulaOficial, for your election which opens a new page in the history of Brazil,” Macron wrote.
Congratulations, dear @LulaOfficial, for your choice that opens a new page in the history of Brazil. Together, we will join forces to respond to numerous common challenges and renew the bond of friendship between our two countries.
—Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 30, 2022
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
“The people of Brazil have said,” Trudeau wrote.
The people of Brazil have spoken. I look forward to working with @LulaOfficial strengthen the partnership between our countries, achieve results for Canadians and Brazilians, and advance shared priorities – like environmental protection. Congratulations, Lula!
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 30, 2022
US President Joe Biden
US President Joe Biden also congratulated Lula on his victory and issued a statement saying he looks forward to working with the president-elect and continuing US-Brazil cooperation in the coming months and years.
I congratulate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his election as the next president of Brazil after free, fair and credible elections. I look forward to working together to continue the cooperation between our two countries in the months and years to come.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 31, 2022
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken congratulated the citizens of Brazil for “voting and reaffirming the strength of their democracy.”
I congratulate the Brazilian people for exercising their right to vote and reaffirming the strength of their democracy. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the President-elect @LulaOfficial as we build a democratic, prosperous and just hemisphere.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) October 31, 2022
Representative of the US House of Representatives, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
LULA 🎉
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 31, 2022
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio, also an environmental activist. He pointed out that with the results of the elections in Brazil comes “an opportunity to change the course of history” in the Amazon and in the world.
The outcome of the Brazilian elections represents an opportunity to change the course of history, not only for Brazil and the Amazon, but also for the world.
(📷: João Paulo Krajewski) pic.twitter.com/twRASHWg2G— Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) October 30, 2022