Brazilian presidential incumbent Lula da Silva‘s feisty approach in the second phase of the election has paid dividends, taking him from a close second after the first phase to a clear win. Lula roasted and mocked fascist Flavio Bolsonaro, forcing Bolsonaro into missteps that allowed da Silva’s supporters to run viral campaigns mocking his rival.
The result is a blow for both Trump and Netanyahu. The US and Israel had invested heavily in attempts to undermine da Silva, while US social media firms blocked his and his campaign’s accounts before the first phase.
Da Silva had also made the election about Brazilian sovereignty, casting Bolsonaro as a US and Israeli puppet compared to what Lula said would be his presidency for the sake of Brazilians and their country’s interests.
Fascism’s US- and Israel-aided march through South America has faltered, if not stalled. Of course, given Bolsonaro Sr’s planned coup when he lost in 2022 and Trump’s kidnapping of Venezuela’s Maduro, another attempt can’t be ruled out yet.