Lula Wins Fourth Term as Flávio Bolsonaro Flees to U.S.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won a historic fourth non-consecutive term in Brazil's October 25 runoff election, defeating right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro with 51.8% of the vote. Lula achieved a rare comeback victory after trailing Bolsonaro in the first round. His win was propelled by a massive digital mobilization led by Congressman André Janones via the "Lula's Army" WhatsApp channel and strong support in the northeast and the bellwether state of Minas Gerais.

The election was marred by chaos and allegations of interference. Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin ordered a nationwide two-hour extension of polling hours due to transportation failures and heavy rains. Flávio Bolsonaro initially refused to concede, calling the extension a "dirty trick" and demanding the results be annulled. However, his party, the Liberal Party, eventually recognized the outcome.

Following the defeat, the Federal Police of Brazil and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes targeted Flávio Bolsonaro in a money-laundering investigation. Despite a court order to surrender his passports and a ban on leaving the country, Bolsonaro fled to the United States, where the U.S. State Department granted him and his family visas. President Lula condemned the departure as a "shameful" evasion of justice.

Internationally, the result was a blow to U.S. President Donald Trump, who characterized the election as "rigged" and had openly supported the Bolsonaro family. Conversely, leaders from China, India, and various Latin American nations congratulated Lula. Domestically, the victory triggered a massive financial rout, with the Bovespa index plunging and the Brazilian real weakening sharply as investors reacted to Lula's social spending platform.