Brazilian Right Hopes Colombian Election Victory Signals October Shift

Ekhbary News Agency | May 12, 2024

Brazil's opposition expresses considerable excitement over the victory of right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella in the Colombian presidential elections, hoping the neighboring country's outcome might boost prospects for a similar rightward "turn" in Brasilia. For what it's worth, these circles view the Colombian results as significant momentum ahead of Brazil's October elections. That contest pits current progressive President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, seeking a fourth term, against Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former conservative President Jair Bolsonaro. A clear ideological battle looms.

Brazilian Right's Regional Aspirations

Former deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro, Flavio's brother, declared in a video from the US that "a victory for the right in Colombia is a defeat for those who support the FARC; now only Brazil remains on the left." He optimistically added, "But in October, the door will close, and the country will turn right with Flavio Bolsonaro." He also expressed anticipation for an imminent shift in Peru, with the expected confirmation of conservative Keiko Fujimori's presidential victory. This sentiment underscores a broader regional strategy for conservative forces.

Flavio Bolsonaro's Congratulatory Message

Flavio Bolsonaro, for his part, commented: "Congratulations to Abelardo 'El Tigre' de la Espriella, the new president of Colombia. Our right-wing program continues to triumph throughout the Americas because we fight narco-terrorist organizations." These statements solidify the shared ideological stance among these political figures, hinting at a wider struggle against perceived regional threats. Such a victory, many believe, could reshape the continent's political landscape.