“I didn't endorse in Brazil. I thought I'd stay out of that one,” Trump said. “The end result, you know, it's fine, the end result. But the way they got to the end was terrible.”

Trump also expressed support for defeated presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro and his family, describing them as “fine people” and saying he would approve their entry into the United States .

Washington has already confirmed plans to grant US visas to Bolsonaro and his family, amid growing uncertainty over the senator's whereabouts.

Brazilian electoral authorities declared Lula the winner with 51.79% of valid votes, compared with Bolsonaro's 48.21%, a margin exceeding 4.4 million votes.

Bolsonaro has refused to concede defeat, alleging electoral fraud. He also faces investigations into alleged corruption , money laundering and tax evasion, accusations he denies.

Voters were seen arriving at the embassy, undergoing registration checks and casting their ballots electronically, while others gathered outside after voting.

Erasto Santos Cruz, who has lived in China for nine years, expressed concern that a Bolsonaro victory could weaken relations between Beijing and Brasília. “If Lula wins, it's a guarantee that China's relationship with Brazil will keep getting better and better, because Lula is an old friend of China,” he told Viory.

Hernandes Miguel, who travelled from Wuhan to vote, warned that a change in leadership could threaten progress in public education and social programmes introduced under previous administrations.

Another voter, Wagner Lacerda Dantas, described the election as crucial for Brazil's environmental policies , particularly the protection of the Amazon rainforest, and its international partnerships.

Meanwhile, Lara Vidal said she believed Lula's re-election would help Brazil resist political pressure from Washington and strengthen Latin America's independence.

The run-off follows a narrow first-round vote on October 4, when Bolsonaro secured approximately 47% against Lula's 45%.

Cleaning worker Jehova Pessoa de Lima, 64, criticised Bolsonaro's perceived ties to US President Donald Trump and Argentina's Javier Milei, saying they had undermined his confidence in the candidate.

Gabriela Ribeiro Viana de Araujo, 29, said her concerns centred on protecting social policies and preventing what she feared could become a dictatorship.

However, cook Igor de Assis Coutinho, 42, argued that Brazil needed political change after years of governance by Lula and his allies.

“I think this is the time for a change,” he told the AFP, adding that although Bolsonaro was not his preferred candidate, he would support him over Lula.

Meanwhile, cleaning worker Damião da Silva, 69, praised Lula's commitment to poorer Brazilians, describing him as a president who prioritised low-income communities.

The run-off will take place on October 25, 2026.

Thousands of supporters joined the march, calling for continued mobilisation in the final days of the campaign.

Journalist Merrina Delgado expressed concern about Brazil's political future, accusing the Bolsonaro camp of threatening democratic progress. “We still have a few days to win votes,” Delgado said, urging Lula's supporters to remain active until polling day.

Influencer Fernando Saldanha also expressed confidence that Lula could reverse the first-round result in the state, describing the election as a broader struggle against what he called fascism.

Lawyer Laura Xavier said she joined the demonstration over concerns about foreign economic influence, particularly from the United States , and the future of Brazil's political left.

The rally formed part of Lula's final campaign push in Minas Gerais, where both candidates are seeking to secure crucial votes ahead of Sunday's election.

“Do we want a Brazil that kisses the Brazilian flag, or do we want a Brazil that goes on all fours before the American flag?” Lula asked.

The president has made national sovereignty a central theme of his re-election campaign, repeatedly questioning the Bolsonaro camp's ties with Washington.

Lula also urged supporters to intensify their campaign efforts both on the streets and online, describing the final days before the election as a decisive political battle.

“Lula's army cannot leave the streets, cannot leave the digital networks,” he declared, describing his supporters as an “army of dignity” and democracy .

The president also challenged Bolsonaro to disclose his financial and telephone records before agreeing to another televised debate, following a heated exchange over corruption allegations during their first debate on Sunday.

The dispute began after Lula's campaign accused Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, of restricting the reach of its political content and limiting its ability to promote posts. The campaign also raised concerns after tests suggested that Meta AI generated election-related images for Flávio Bolsonaro but refused similar requests involving Lula.

On 15 October, Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE) ordered Meta not to reduce the distribution of posts related to presidential candidates, block recommendations or restrict search results. The decision also required equal treatment for both campaigns and established a daily fine of R$500,000 (approximately US$99,000) for non-compliance

The following day, the court confirmed the order, which included measures to prevent unequal treatment of the candidates' content during the final stage of the campaign. Meta said it had temporarily prohibited recommendations of candidates and the generation of images of them in line with Brazilian electoral rules.

However, the court later found the company's explanations insufficient. On 18 October, Bellizze gave Meta 24 hours to provide clear reports in Portuguese detailing the measures it had taken and distinguishing those required by the court from those introduced by the company itself.

Meta has denied political bias, attributing the issues identified on its platforms to technical problems. The court's proceedings concern the platform's handling and distribution of electoral content, rather than the legality of the candidates' own campaign messages.

With the run-off scheduled for 25 October, the case has brought renewed attention to the role of social media platforms and artificial intelligence in Brazil's electoral process.

For more information, read the full article on Global South World Brazil.

Luka Franca, an electoral lawyer and co-director of the Feminist Institute Kuira, said women’s demands must be part of the presidential debate, noting that women represent more than half the electorate. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro are competing in the run-off, in which women’s votes could play a significant role.

During the event, Lula celebrated a constitutional reform ending Brazil's six-day working week with one day off, known as the 6x1 system.

Under the reform, maximum weekly working hours will gradually fall to 42 in December 2026 and 40 in December 2027, without salary reductions.

Lula described the changes as a victory for workers, particularly women who balance paid employment with family responsibilities.

Supporters welcomed the reform and expressed confidence in his re-election campaign. “I am very happy and I have faith that we are going to achieve this victory,” said supporter Ana Luiza Santana.

The president also urged older voters and those who abstained in the first round to participate in the October 25 vote. Lula warned against a return of Bolsonarismo, arguing that the election would determine the future of labour rights and social policies in Brazil.

Driven by the advancement of agribusiness and the need to optimise mineral and industrial exports, the country projects capital injections that could exceed the R$ 96 billion mark (nearly US$ 20 billion) in port investments by 2030.

A wide range of companies are involved in these projects including the flagship development of Cedro Participações, which obtained an environmental license to invest more than US$ 700 million in Porto do Meio, reinforcing iron ore exports in Itaguaí.

The Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor), is offering public contributions to attract private capital in a bid to facilitate more than $6 billion in lease contracts.

The mineral sector, as one of Brazil’s most important industries, is playing a leading role. Brazil shipped a record 416 million tonnes of iron ore in 2025, its first year above 400 million. 

The country accounts for almost a quarter of global supply.

Cedro Participações is preparing to begin construction works on Porto do Meio, located at the Port of Itaguaí in the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro.

"Porto do Meio is not just a project for the next three or five years, but a strategic transformation vector for the coming decades that will significantly increase the competitiveness of the mineral industry in Brazil," said Lucas Kallas, Chairman of Cedro International .

The latest news comes days after the State Council for Environmental Policy of Minas Gerais (Copam) approved licenses to expand Cedro's mine in Mariana, with projected investments of almost $700 million.

“The combination of expanding the export capacity of agricultural and mineral commodities with public sector concessions positions Brazil strategically to enhance foreign trade competitiveness in the coming years,” said José Carlos Martins, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Cedro Participações.

With an estimated investment of around $720 million, Cedro's private iron ore terminal will have an initial capacity to handle 15 million metric tons per year. 

The company secured the area in a government auction in December 2024 and signed a 35-year lease two months later.

Porto do Meio will be built from scratch over a 350,000 square meter area between terminals operated by Vale and CSN. It will include a berthing slot, storage yard, and rail access connected to the MRS Logística network.

The new port will break the traditional dominance of the largest mining companies, giving Cedro, control of its own route from source to the sea, while offering spare capacity to other independent producers in the so-called Iron Quadrangle in Minas Gerais

The three-year project promises to create around 3,000 jobs at the peak of construction, as well as generating as much as $235 million in tax revenue for neighbouring municipalities over the concession period.

Protesters voiced concerns over workers' rights, women's rights and Brazil's sovereignty, warning against what they described as the growing influence of the far right.

Camila Lisboa, a member of the Socialism and Freedom Party's feminist caucus, criticised Bolsonaro's candidacy, accusing him of being disconnected from the realities of working-class Brazilians.

Another demonstrator, Taisa, expressed frustration over labour conditions and warned against potential threats to women's rights and what she viewed as growing US influence.

Other participants called for stronger political mobilisation among workers and young people ahead of the vote. “We want to defeat the far right that is coming on strong and does not represent the rights of workers, students and the Brazilian people,” demonstrator Julia said.

The rally followed Brazil's October 4 first-round election , in which Bolsonaro secured 47.03 per cent of the vote against Lula's 45.16 per cent. The two candidates will face each other in the October 25 run-off.

Speaking to the congregation, Bolsonaro accused his political opponents of spreading lies and portrayed the country's political divisions as part of a spiritual struggle.

“Facing this spiritual war that Brazil is going through at this moment is not easy,” he said.

Bolsonaro also linked his presidential ambitions to his religious beliefs, expressing faith in what he described as God's plan for Brazil.

“I cling to what I believe is God's plan for our nation,” he told worshippers, adding that he hoped God's will would ultimately prevail.

The candidate also voiced support for his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison over a plot to overturn the 2022 election result.

“President Bolsonaro will be set free and Madureira will be there. Brazil will have a new president and Madureira will be there,” he declared.

The appearance forms part of Bolsonaro's efforts to consolidate evangelical support before his run-off contest against incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on October 25.

“We are aligned to declare war, from January next year, on the narco-terrorists of Comando Vermelho, of the PCC, and on the militias,” Bolsonaro said, outlining their proposed security agenda.

The senator also urged supporters to mobilise on the streets and social media ahead of the October 25 presidential run-off, calling on them to counter what he described as misinformation about his campaign.

Beyond security, Bolsonaro proposed vocational training programmes aimed at improving economic opportunities for poorer Brazilians.

The meeting came amid uncertainty over Rio de Janeiro's governorship election . A court ruling concerning annulled votes and a revised tally could potentially allow Ruas to be declared governor-elect without a run-off against rival Eduardo Paes.

“Brazilian youth is here today because we are not going to accept the rise of the far right,” demonstrator Maia said, accusing Bolsonaro's political movement of threatening the rights of Black people , women and LGBT+ communities.

Other protesters expressed confidence in Lula's chances, while raising concerns about US influence in Latin American politics. Demonstrator Gustavo said Washington's policies had a significant impact on the region.

Students also called for greater voter participation, with demonstrator Alexandre urging those who abstained in the first round to vote in the run-off.

The protest followed Sunday's election, in which Bolsonaro secured 47.03 per cent of valid votes against Lula's 45.16 per cent. Neither candidate won an outright majority, sending the presidential race to a second round.

“I believe that division is what is harming Brazilian politics ,” voter Felipe Pilissari said. “There is a prevailing sense of hatred and resentment between both sides. We need to find a balance.”

The comments followed a narrow first-round lead for Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who secured 47.03 per cent of valid votes against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s 45.16 per cent. Neither won more than half, triggering an October 25 run-off.

While conservative voter Santos Neto welcomed the result, others expressed concern about the country’s political direction. Daiane Alves said political disagreements were fuelling hatred, while Heitor Albuquerque raised concerns about attacks on institutions.

Bolsonaro also gained ground in municipalities that backed Lula in 2022, while his Liberal Party secured 121 of the 513 seats in the Chamber of Deputies. The run-off comes four years after Lula narrowly defeated Bolsonaro’s father, Jair Bolsonaro, in the 2022 presidential election .

Bolsonaro also invoked his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest over the alleged coup plot following the 2022 election .

The Liberal Party candidate pledged tax and bureaucracy cuts alongside tougher security measures, including more than half a million additional prison places and sentences of up to 80 years for leaders of criminal organisations. He also vowed to designate the PCC, Comando Vermelho and militias as terrorist groups.

Bolsonaro criticised Lula and presented himself as an alternative to the incumbent. “You look at Lula and you see the past; you look at Flavio and you see the future,” he said.

Bolsonaro won 47.03 per cent of valid votes in the first round, ahead of Lula on 45.16 per cent. The two will face each other in the October 25 run-off.

The comments came as the US suspended consular services at its embassy and consulates in Brazil on Friday, citing unspecified security concerns. Washington did not link the decision to Sunday’s election.

Another resident, Roberto, said he believed the timing of the closures was intended to influence voters, describing it as “foreign interference”. His claim has not been established by US authorities, which have said the suspension was for security reasons.

Brazil’s role in BRICS was also among voters’ concerns. Resident Andre said he believed a Bolsonaro victory could significantly alter Brazil’s position within the bloc, while a Lula victory would maintain its current direction.

More than 158 million Brazilians are eligible to vote on Sunday. If no candidate receives more than half of valid votes, a second round will be held on October 25.

“We have to know who these politicians are, know their proposals, because it is the future of our country,” student Pedro Henrique said. He expressed opposition to Bolsonaro, arguing that the rights of students, young people , Black Brazilians and LGBTQ people could be threatened under his presidency.

Student Vicky Rodrigues, who indicated support for Lula, raised concerns about possible US intervention in Brazil and access to the country's strategic resources. She argued that protecting Brazil's sovereignty should remain a priority regardless of the election outcome.

Voting in Brazil is compulsory for people aged 18 to 70 and optional for 16- and 17-year-olds. If no candidate wins more than half of valid votes on Sunday, a second round will be held on October 25.

The results will determine both who leads the country and how much support the next government has to address household finances, public security and pressure on public services.

Lula faces Bolsonaro’s son

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, of the Workers’ Party, is seeking a fourth presidential term overall and a second consecutive term since returning to office in 2023. Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin is again his running mate.

His main challenger, Flávio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party, is a senator representing Rio de Janeiro and the eldest son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. He is running alongside congressman Alfredo Gaspar and seeking to return his father’s conservative movement to the presidency.

Twelve presidential candidates remain following Leonardo Avalanche’s withdrawal on September 30. Other contenders include Ronaldo Caiado, Romeu Zema, Renan Santos and Augusto Cury.

A Datafolha poll released on October 1 showed Lula with 42% of total voting intentions and Bolsonaro with 38%. Among valid voting intentions, Lula had 45% and Bolsonaro 40%. In a simulated run-off, Lula’s 48% against Bolsonaro’s 45% represented a statistical tie within the poll’s margin of error.

The survey interviewed 2,506 electors between September 29 and October 1, with a national margin of error of two percentage points. The figures leave the outcome uncertain and suggest the contest could continue to a second round.

Household finances and public spending

The candidates offer different approaches to managing the economy and financing government programmes.

Lula proposes maintaining his administration’s fiscal framework while protecting social spending and public investment. He also supports consolidating the consumption-tax reform approved during his current term.

Bolsonaro proposes cutting at least 10 ministries, reducing appointed positions and changing fiscal rules to lower public debt relative to the economy. He wants to review the tax reform to reduce the burden on production and consumption.

These proposals will influence how Brazil balances demands for jobs and better services with pressure to control spending and borrowing costs. Major changes would require support from Congress.

Security and violence against women

Public safety has been a major campaign concern, with violence against women receiving particular attention. Women account for 53% of the electorate, making their support crucial to both leading candidates.

Bolsonaro has proposed chemical castration for sex offenders and expanded assistance for victims. Lula has pledged to strengthen existing protections, including real-time monitoring of offenders wearing electronic ankle bracelets. Both support tougher penalties, which would require parliamentary approval.

The Amazon and Indigenous land rights

Brazil contains about 60% of the Amazon rainforest, giving its environmental decisions consequences beyond its borders.

Lula’s programme targets zero net deforestation by 2030. Bolsonaro promises to end illegal deforestation by 2029, while easing environmental licensing and allowing Indigenous communities greater discretion over economic activities on their land.

The distinction between the targets matters: ending illegal clearing still permits authorised forest loss. Environmental specialists warn that weaker protections could reverse recent progress against deforestation. Despite these stakes, Amazon conservation has received relatively little attention during the campaign.

Congress, the courts and accountability

The congressional elections will shape the next president’s ability to pass legislation, approve budgets and carry out campaign promises. Senators also approve senior appointments and conduct presidential impeachment trials. Those elected this year will serve eight-year terms.

Jair Bolsonaro’s conviction for attempting to overturn his 2022 election defeat remains part of the political backdrop. Flávio Bolsonaro has advocated an amnesty, with a presidential pardon as a possible alternative. Either proposal would face legal questions; a victory would not automatically secure his father’s release.

The Banco Master controversy has also kept judicial accountability in the campaign debate. On October 1, Lula defended Justice Flávio Dino’s decision to pause proceedings concerning allegations involving Justice Alexandre de Moraes and banker Daniel Vorcaro. The allegations remain distinct from established findings of wrongdoing.

How the electoral process works

Voting across Brazil will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Brasília time , with corresponding local hours in other time zones. People already queuing when polling stations close may still vote.

Voting is compulsory for literate citizens aged 18 to 70. It is optional for 16- and 17-year-olds, people over 70 and people who cannot read or write. Voters must present an accepted photo ID.

Most voters casting ballots in Brazil will make six choices on an electronic voting machine, in this order: federal deputy, state or Federal District deputy, two different senators, governor and president.

Votes for president and governor automatically include their running mates. Repeating the same Senate candidate invalidates the second Senate vote. Electors registered abroad vote only for president and vice-president.

To win the presidency or a governorship in the first round, a candidate must receive more than half of valid votes. Blank and invalid ballots do not count towards that threshold. If nobody achieves it, the two leading candidates contest a run-off on 25 October.

Senators are elected in a single round, with the two highest-polling candidates in each state and the Federal District winning. Deputies are elected through proportional representation, meaning party and federation vote totals help determine how seats are allocated.

Official results will begin appearing from 5 p.m ., Brasília time, according to the TSE. Even if the presidential race continues to a run-off, Sunday’s congressional results will already have shaped the next government’s ability to act.

Music producer Daniel Roitman also supported Lula, pointing to the cultural sector and his assessment of former president Jair Bolsonaro's government. Administrator Flavia Zambom, meanwhile, backed Flavio Bolsonaro, highlighting proposals including lowering the age of criminal responsibility.

In Recife, Lula retains support among some voters who credit his governments with giving greater attention to Brazil's Northeast. Helena de Andrade Bezerra said the region's political trend remained more favourable to Lula, while Sergio Ferreira said he would vote for Bolsonaro because he believed the senator could “move Brazil forward”.

Professor Fernando Brancoli of the Federal University of Rio said Brazil's regional voting patterns reflect broader economic, social and political differences, warning that the country's electoral divide cannot be explained solely along North-South lines.

Bad Bunny’s team authorised Lula’s campaign to use and adapt the song for the electoral video, which was released on September 24, in a Portuguese version. The original song, from the Puerto Rican singer’s album Debí Tirar Más Fotos ( I Should Have Taken More Photos), reflects on Puerto Rico’s history and warns about the loss of land, culture and identity, drawing parallels with the impact of US influence on the island.

The adapted song retains the original melody while incorporating themes related to Brazil, including its territory, rivers, beaches and rare earth minerals. The campaign video also references US President Donald Trump and criticism of foreign influence, echoing Lula’s recent emphasis on Brazilian sovereignty during his address to the UN General Assembly.

Lula extended his sovereignty message to Brazil's natural resources, saying foreign powers should not dictate how the country's wealth is used. He pledged to have critical minerals processed domestically to produce batteries, mobile phones and chips.

The president also criticised his political opponents and defended his government's decision to ban online betting platforms, arguing that they had contributed to debt among lower-income Brazilians.

The rally came just over a week before the first round of voting on October 4. Lula is seeking a fourth term as president, with Liberal Party candidate Flavio Bolsonaro among his rivals.

“The casino is in the kitchen, it is in the living room and it is with the pensioner,” Lula said, warning that children could also gain access to betting platforms using their parents' cards.

Lula compared the spread of digital betting to the country's experience with crack addiction, arguing that online gambling had an even wider reach because it was constantly accessible through mobile phones and encouraged dreams of getting rich quickly.

The ban will take effect once the provisional measure is published in the Official Gazette, but Congress must approve it for the measure to become permanent. In 2025, federally authorised online betting platforms recorded about 25 million users and deposits worth 220.6 billion reais ($42.5 billion).

Bolsonaro also criticised President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva over the government’s move to restrict online betting, accusing him of acting for electoral reasons. Flávio said he supports banning online casinos while distinguishing them from regulated sports betting. The election is due to take place on 4 October, with recent polls showing a close race between Lula and Flávio, although results vary between surveys.

Speaking on Tuesday, Lula warned against what he called renewed attempts by major powers to exert influence over countries in the region.

“In Latin America and the Caribbean, the geographical proximity to the world's largest military power is unavoidable, especially in the context of the resurgence of hegemonic temptations. Brazil is nobody's backyard,” he said

Lula rejects greater US Military role

Turning to organised crime, Lula argued that greater military involvement from the United States was not the answer to criminal networks operating across the region.

“We don't need aircraft carriers patrolling our waters. We need cooperation to stop the flow of weapons and money that fuels organised crime.”

His comments come as Brazil and the United States face disagreements over sovereignty, security and trade, while both countries deal with concerns over transnational criminal networks.

Lula also criticised what he called "protectionist environmental measures" and asserted Brazil’s control over its critical minerals and rare earth resources.

Lula criticises United Nations

The Brazilian president also questioned the effectiveness of the UN, pointing to divisions among major powers and the veto held by permanent members of the Security Council.

"The UN is failing in one of its highest missions, which is to free humanity from the scourge of war ,” he said.

Lula condemned the war in Gaza and accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of committing 'genocide'.

“Generations of Palestinians will bear the pain and the trauma left by the genocide committed by Netanyahu's government against women and children.”

He also criticised Israeli settlements in the West Bank and backed the two-state solution as essential to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Diplomacy over Ukraine War

On Ukraine, Lula called for diplomacy instead of seeking a solution through military force.

“We all know there will be no winners on the battlefield. Diplomacy is the only option.,” he said.

Lula ended his speech by turning to Brazil’s presidential election scheduled for Oct. 4.

He described the vote as a choice between "democracy and denialism" and warned about foreign influence and disinformation.

The 81st UN General Assembly opened on September 22, 2026, with Brazil traditionally delivering the first national address. The gathering runs through September 28, with global leaders addressing wars, climate change, security and the future of the international system.

“When Trump speaks of terrorism, he speaks of state terrorism,” Lula said. “Who did that? It was Bolsonaro, when he tried to stage the coup of 8 January. That is terrorism.”

Lula also referred to the “Green and Yellow Dagger” plan drafted by retired general Mario Fernandes, a former official in Bolsonaro's government. According to investigators, the document envisaged killing then president-elect Lula, vice-president-elect Geraldo Alckmin and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

Despite questioning the US designation, Lula compared the impact of criminal groups on communities to terrorism, citing extortion and restrictions imposed on residents.

“Those criminals are terrorists for the families who live in the neighbourhood,” he said.

Lula said organised crime had expanded its presence across Brazil's major cities and that authorities would focus first on disrupting criminal groups' logistics and movement before seeking to regain control of affected territories.

Public security has become a major issue ahead of Brazil's October 4 presidential election. Lula is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term, with Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, Jair Bolsonaro's son, among his main opponents. An AtlasIntel/Bloomberg poll published on September 17 put Lula at 44.1% and Flavio Bolsonaro at 41.7% in a first-round scenario; the survey had a one-percentage-point margin of error.

The United States was the world’s biggest exporter of crop and livestock products in 2024, while Brazil and the Netherlands completed the top three, according to FAOSTAT data compiled by World Population Review.

US exports were valued at $172.36 billion , ahead of Brazil at $141.89 billion and the Netherlands at $133.90 billion. Germany ranked fourth at $102.21 billion, followed by China at $84.33 billion and France at $83.45 billion.

Spain was seventh with $74.30 billion, followed by Italy at $70.53 billion, Canada at $65.30 billion and Belgium at $62.42 billion. Poland, Indonesia, Mexico, Australia and Thailand completed the top 15 shown in the graphic.

The ranking shows that being a major agricultural exporter is not simply about having vast amounts of farmland. The Netherlands, a relatively small country, exported nearly $134 billion worth of agricultural products, placing it ahead of much larger agricultural economies such as China and France.

Its position also helps explain why Europe features so heavily in the ranking. European countries benefit from extensive cross-border trade and highly developed food-processing and distribution networks. FAO says Europe has particularly strong intra-regional agricultural trade and became a net food exporter in the previous decade.

Brazil’s position reflects a different strength. The country is one of the world ’s major producers and exporters of agricultural commodities, particularly soybeans. FAO says global agricultural trade remains highly concentrated in several key commodities, with the two biggest exporters of soybeans and palm oil accounting for about 85% of global exports in 2024.

The figures also underline the scale of agricultural trade beyond food consumed directly by people. FAO says food commodities accounted for about 86% of global trade in crop and livestock products in 2024, but notes that some food commodities are traded for uses such as animal feed rather than direct human consumption.

The ranking is based on the value of crop and livestock exports in 2024, rather than the amount of food produced or exported by weight. FAOSTAT records international agricultural trade using export quantities and values, with values reported in US dollars.

That distinction is important. A country can rank highly because it exports large volumes of agricultural goods, sells higher-value products, has a major food-processing industry or serves as an important trading and distribution hub.

FAO also reported that while the value of global crop and livestock exports continued to increase in current prices after 2020, export volumes did not rise in the same way, showing how changes in prices can affect rankings based on dollar value.

Speaking to supporters on Avenida Paulista, Bolsonaro said he campaigns wearing protective gear and portrayed voters as his defence.

"I want to assure everyone that I campaign wearing a bulletproof vest. I put my chest on the line for the Brazilian people, because I know that, deep down, you, the Brazilian people and the Brazilian electorate, are the vest that defends our democracy today," he said.

Bolsonaro also presented his presidential bid as a protest and argued that Brazil could prosper under a different political direction.

"This is the Brazil of the future I want: a Brazil where people do not have to rely on a politician simply to put food on the table. My candidacy is a protest, it seeks to show that Brazil can be fixed, that Brazil has a future and that Brazil can prosper," he said.

Security formed a major part of his speech. Bolsonaro said Comando Vermelho and militias would be classified as terrorist organisations. He also proposed lowering the age of criminal responsibility and introducing tougher sentences for crimes.

"I will work to approve chemical castration for rapists and abusers of women. Mobile phone thieves will serve a minimum sentence of eight years in prison and will have to work to pay for their own upkeep," he announced.

The rally also featured slogans against President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and criticism of Supreme Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes amid tensions between the court and Bolsonarismo.

"We must protect the Supreme Court from Alexandre de Moraes. That rotten apple cannot be allowed to contaminate the whole Court. The Supreme Court is not Alexandre de Moraes; the Judiciary is not Alexandre de Moraes; the magistracy is not Alexandre de Moraes," Bolsonaro said.

While Bolsonaro addressed supporters in Sao Paulo, Lula led a civic-military parade in Brasilia marking 204 years of Brazil's Independence. The events came ahead of the first round of the presidential election on October 4.

The demonstration also served as a campaign platform for Flávio Bolsonaro, who is running for president in the October election . Speaking to supporters, he promised to reform the Supreme Court and said he would appoint five new justices if elected, while declaring that Moraes would lose his position. The rally came as Flávio and Lula remain closely matched in recent polling, highlighting the growing political importance of the dispute surrounding Brazil’s Supreme Court.

Demonstrators gathered outside the city's Museum of Art on Avenida Paulista, waving union flags and carrying placards calling for labour reforms.

The 6x1 system requires six days of work for one day of rest. Proposed Constitutional Amendment PEC 221/2019 seeks to gradually reduce the working week from 44 to 40 hours and provide two days of paid rest without reducing wages.

The proposal was approved by the Chamber of Deputies on May 27 before being sent to the Senate.

Protesters argued that reducing working hours would give employees more time for their families, leisure and rest.

"First of all, quality of life. The worker needs to have quality of life, needs time to spend with their family, time for leisure, time to rest (...), the worker's mental issues, the worker's mental health; so it is essential that the worker puts an end to this 6x1 rota," demonstrator Marcelo said.

Another protester, Vivian, criticised Congress and the Senate and said demonstrations should continue until the 6x1 schedule is abolished.

"The Brazilian Congress and the Senate are aligned with the interests of the bourgeoisie, the rich, the bosses and not the working class. So demonstrations are important to win this right, which is to end 6x1," she stressed.

The proposal is advancing as Brazil's electoral calendar gathers pace. Senator and presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro strongly opposes the direct abolition of the 6x1 work schedule, describing the proposal backed by President Lula da Silva's government as a populist measure that could lead to mass unemployment.

Instead, Bolsonaro proposes a system where workers are paid according to hours worked rather than rigid weekly schedules.

Protester Danilo called for lawmakers to approve the proposal before the upcoming elections .

"Let us put an end to this rota that enslaves our Brazilian people . So today we are here on the streets pressuring Congress so that before the elections we can approve the end of 6x1 and establish a working timetable that allows our people to live and not just work," said the demonstrator.

Trade unions have also announced demonstrations outside the Senate in Brasilia on September 1, 2 and 3, as they push for progress on the proposal.

The ruling was supposed to be a reset. Instead, the White House rebuilt almost the entire tariff wall on different legal foundations within five months — and in some cases built it higher. For exporters across the Global South, the practical difference has been less about the rate they pay than about the certainty that the rates are now here to stay.

Most economists agree that the measures are "lose-lose".

"In general, tariffs are bad for everybody. They are bad for the United States and bad for the rest of the world. Like higher oil prices, they constitute a shock, but the size of that shock varies from country to country," observes Marcelo Estevao, chief economist at the Institute of International Finance (IIF).

On 20 February 2026, the Supreme Court struck down the "Liberation Day" reciprocal duties of April 2025. Trump’s team immediately came back with new measures.

The net effect, according to the Budget Lab at Yale, is an average US statutory tariff rate of 11 percent as of 11 August 2026, on track for 11.8 percent by year-end — roughly where it stood before the Supreme Court intervened. Setting aside the 2025 peak, the Budget Lab records that as the highest since the early 1940s.

And when the World ’s biggest economy puts up the walls, few countries are untouched.

The IMF's July 2026 World Economic Outlook update puts global growth at 3.0 percent in 2026, recovering to 3.4 percent in 2027 — against an average of 3.5 percent across 2024 and 2025. World trade volume growth is forecast to fall to 3.5 percent this year, down from 5.0 percent in 2025.

Brazil: singled out, and adapting

The hardest hit nations are big exporters whose leaders have refused to align themselves behind the US leader. Near the top of the list, Brazil, facing a headline rate of up to 37.5 percent, the highest of any large economy outside China. As a country running a trade deficit with the US, Brazil is also unique because its original tariffs were explicitly linked to political events rather than trade - the prosecution of former president Jair Bolsonaro.

The measures bite unevenly. Around two-thirds of Brazilian exports to the US escape the new duties altogether — coffee, orange juice, beef, cocoa, aircraft, petroleum and iron ore were all excluded to protect American consumers. What remains in scope is the higher-value industrial production: machinery, electrical equipment, tyres, sugar, apparel, granite and gold .

In certain sectors, the impact has been severe.

"For us, [the tarifaço, or steep tariff rises] is a structural and extremely significant problem," explains André Passos Cordeiro, Executive President of the Brazilian Chemical Industry Association, Abiquim. "In some cases, it is making continued production unviable."

Because Brazil isn't just hit by the direct impact of higher costs to export. It has also suffered as Chinese manufacturers with similar challenges have redirected their production, swamping the Brazilian market to the point that imports now account for half of domestic consumption.

Abiquim estimates that the tariffs are costing the industry $133 million a year. The situation would be even worse, Cordeiro says, were it not for government measures to maintain duties on Chinese imports and support the industry through its Brasil Soberano financial support programme.

Another industry hit hard has been footwear, with Brazilian companies already locked in a cutthroat competition with manufacturers in Vietnam, Indonesia and China. In July, the industry imported more than it sold abroad for the first time since records began 29 years ago. Exports were down 18 percent in value terms during the first seven months of 2026.

"Given the prospect of declining exports, it has become even more urgent to adopt safeguards and other trade defense instruments to protect the domestic market from the significant and harmful increase in imports," Haroldo Ferreira, Executive President of the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association, Abicalçados told Global South World.

These numbers impact businesses and their workers each day. Both industry group leaders called for the government to add to the support measures already in place to protect jobs.

The pivot east

While other sectors have also suffered badly, the economy overall has been relatively resilient as exporters have found new markets away from the US.

The redirection has been fast and measurable. In the first half of 2026 the US took just 9.4 percent of Brazil's exports — the lowest share since records began in 1997, down from 12.1 percent a year earlier. Sales to the US fell 13 percent to $17.4 billion even as Brazil's total exports rose 11.5 percent. China, India and Morocco saw sharp jumps as export destinations.

"The impact on GDP and inflation was as limited as it could have been," notes Alex Agostini, Chief Economist at Austin Ratings. "Diversification is necessary; Brazil cannot remain dependent on the United States. I do not see it as harmful; on the contrary, I think it is positive for Brazil."

Agostini says Brazil's competitiveness in global trade means it is able to find new buyers for the goods no longer heading north to the US.

Ultimately, the biggest loser from the trade war could be the US.

The Budget Lab at Yale estimates the tariffs now in place cost the average American household around $1,100 a year.

"Politically, it backfired on Donald Trump. He attacked Brazilian democracy and saw that there is nothing undermining it. It backfired badly, and that is why his disapproval ratings have been rising," Agostini concludes.

The IIF's Estevao agrees: "The situation is not good for Latin America, but I think it is worse for the United States in the long term. Alliances and economic relationships are changing… if the region continues to be pushed in this direction, countries will have a stronger incentive to diversify their dependence."

[Image: Deposit Photos ]

The event was held near Posto 5, one of the main political strongholds of his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, who served from 2019 to 2022.

Flavio Bolsonaro focused his campaign message on public security, fighting drug trafficking and taking a tough stance against organised crime.

He also criticised President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva over his foreign policy, arguing that the government was focusing on diplomatic tensions instead of Brazil's domestic problems.

"(Lula) fights against countries that are 10,000 kilometres away from us. But the current government does not fight traffickers, does not fight murderers, does not fight robbers. I am going to fight for you!" the legislator said.

At the event, supporter Leticia Soares backed Bolsonaro's candidacy and said she expected an economic recovery. She also highlighted the possibility of closer political ties with Argentine President Javier Milei.

"The economy is going to go from zero to 100 per cent. And with Milei, being together, we can only grow. The economy is growing all over the world ; grow together," the activist said.

Another supporter, Mauricio Vargas, said he believed a Flavio Bolsonaro government aligned with US President Donald Trump could tackle Brazil's main criminal groups.

"The right-wing government of Flavio Bolsonaro, aligned with President Trump of the United States , will be very good for the nation to put an end to the PCC (First Command of the Capital) and the Comando Vermelho," Vargas said.

Bolsonaro also defended the legacy of his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest and barred from political office for his attempted involvement in a coup in 2022.

He promised to confront the political system, reduce public spending and cut government posts.

Flavio Bolsonaro's campaign launch coincided with the official start of Lula's campaign, as the president held his first event in São Paulo.

"It is against the sell-out of Flavio Bolsonaro and his allies, who are simply trying to sell Brazil in exchange for a green card, for support in Donald Trump's elections ," student Luna said.

Demonstrators also criticised Tarcisio's management of education in Sao Paulo state. A survey by the APEOESP trade union association published in April recorded broad opposition within the education community to the state government's policies.

"We are on the streets in defence of our education , in defence of our country," demonstrator Pacu Haddad told Viory.

The protest comes as Brazil's political contest intensifies ahead of the 2026 presidential election, in which Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, is among the main contenders.

"There is an official over there who does not like Brazil or Latin America and who is a Bolsonarist: the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. He does not like us," Lula said.

Lula also referred to Rubio's Cuban heritage, describing him as "perhaps a frustrated Latin American because his family left Cuba" and claiming the US secretary of state "hates Cuba, hates Colombia and hates Brazil."

The remarks come after Washington imposed a 25 per cent tariff on many Brazilian goods in July, followed by an additional 12.5 per cent levy linked to US measures against countries it says do not adequately restrict imports made with forced labour. Some products are exempt.

Lula said he learned of the latest tariff increase through the media and claimed it would leave Brazil with a $7.4 billion shortfall.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is heading into Brazil’s 2026 presidential campaign with an important advantage over Senator Flávio Bolsonaro: more free electoral advertising time on television and radio. Under calculations based on congressional representation and Brazil’s electoral rules, Lula’s coalition is positioned to command a larger share of the country’s highly valuable broadcast slots. Before the final coalition arrangements, CNN calculated that Lula would have approximately 5 minutes and 28 seconds in each fixed presidential advertising block, compared with 4 minutes and 24 seconds for Flávio Bolsonaro, giving the incumbent roughly 24% more airtime. Ronaldo Caiado was projected to receive 2 minutes and 3 seconds and Augusto Cury 36 seconds. Candidates divide two 12-minute-and-30-second blocks on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, alongside 14 minutes of shorter daily insertions. The arithmetic helps explain Flávio’s push to attract Republicanos. Had the party joined his coalition, CNN estimated his allocation could have risen to 5 minutes and 20 seconds, ahead of Lula’s 4 minutes and 47 seconds. The contest is particularly significant because 90% of broadcast time is allocated according to the congressional strength of the parties in each coalition, while only 10% is divided equally.

With few women on presidential tickets, campaigns turn to ‘godmothers’ for the female vote

Brazil’s presidential campaigns are increasingly relying on prominent female political figures , or “madrinhas” (godmothers), to reach women voters, even as women remain under-represented at the top of the major tickets themselves. The briefing highlights this as a defining feature of the emerging campaign strategy. The electoral incentive is considerable. Recent polling has shown Lula holding a significant advantage among women. A Datafolha poll cited by UOL put him at 50% among female voters compared with 40% for Flávio Bolsonaro. An earlier Genial/Quaest survey produced an even wider first-round divide, with 41% for Lula and 24% for Flávio among women. Flávio’s campaign has consequently sought to strengthen its appeal to women through female conservative leaders. Michelle Bolsonaro remains an important electoral figure for the right, while Flávio has also brought former Caixa president Daniella Marques into his economic policy team and publicly discussed increasing women’s representation in leadership positions. Before the final ticket negotiations, names including Júlia Zanatta, Bia Kicis, Priscila Costa, Tereza Cristina and Simone Marquetto had circulated as possible running mates.

STJ weighs punishment for Marco Buzzi over sexual harassment allegations

Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice (STJ) scheduled 6 August to consider the disciplinary case against Justice Marco Buzzi , who faces allegations of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct from two women. Buzzi has been removed from judicial duties since February 2026, and the court formally opened administrative disciplinary proceedings in April. He denies the accusations. One complainant is an 18-year-old daughter of family friends, who alleges that Buzzi harassed her while they were swimming at Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina, in January 2026. Another allegation came from a woman who worked in a subordinate position in Buzzi’s STJ office. CNN reported that testimony from the latter complainant was considered significant when the court unanimously decided to suspend him in February. The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) has asked for Buzzi to receive the maximum administrative sanction of compulsory retirement, arguing that the evidence demonstrates conduct incompatible with the dignity and standards expected of the judiciary. Buzzi’s defence has submitted medical evidence and challenged the allegations. The MPF rejected one element of that defence, saying a medical report identifying moderate sexual dysfunction contained nothing that would rule out the alleged conduct.

Entrepreneurs warn that legal uncertainty is becoming a brake on Brazilian investment

Brazil’s business environment is facing renewed scrutiny over legal uncertainty, with Rodrigo Marinho arguing on CNN Talks that unpredictable regulation and inconsistent interpretation of rules are damaging entrepreneurs’ ability to invest and plan for the future. The issue is one of the major economic themes identified in the briefing. For companies, legal certainty is more than a technical legal issue. Investment decisions involving factories, infrastructure, employment and long-term financing depend on businesses having a reasonable understanding of taxation, contracts, regulation and property rights over the lifespan of an investment. When those rules become unpredictable, investors price the uncertainty into projects, delay decisions or redirect capital elsewhere. The argument is particularly relevant as Brazil attempts to attract more private capital into infrastructure and raise productivity. Marinho’s intervention places institutional predictability alongside taxation, financing costs and bureaucracy as a competitiveness issue, suggesting that improving Brazil’s business environment requires not only economic reform but clearer and more consistent application of the law.

Port executives say Brazil is ignoring 40% of a contested market

Brazil’s ports are emerging as another potential constraint on growth. The briefing highlights a warning from NeoWise that approximately 40% of the market contested between ports is being overlooked, alongside a stark assessment from André de Seixas on CNN Talks: “Without a port, I can’t grow Brazil.” The argument goes well beyond the maritime industry. Brazil is a major exporter of agricultural commodities, minerals and manufactured products, making port capacity and efficiency integral to the competitiveness of the wider economy. Congestion, inadequate capacity or weak connections between ports and inland transport networks can increase freight costs and undermine Brazilian exporters in global markets. The problem becomes particularly visible in agriculture. Brazil remains heavily dependent on imported fertilisers, while geopolitical disruption has made those supply chains more vulnerable. CNN reported that Russia, Ukraine and the Middle East collectively account for roughly 30% to 40% of internationally traded NPK fertilisers, meaning global disruption can quickly translate into higher costs and logistical pressure for Brazilian producers.

The diplomatic row followed remarks by Milei, who described Lula as an "ex-convict", a "thief" and "corrupt". Brazil subsequently withdrew its ambassador to Argentina, Julio Bittelli, and announced he would not return.

Quirno said Argentina would not retaliate and remained open to dialogue.

"There will be no diplomatic action in response to what Brazil does. Brazil has every right to make the decisions it makes," he said.

He also rejected Brazil's complaints about possible foreign interference in its electoral process, arguing that Lula had visited former Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner during her house arrest ahead of Argentina's 2025 elections .

The move does not expel Viotti from the United States , but means she would need to apply for a new visa if she leaves the country. Washington described the measure as "reciprocal" and said the visa could be restored if Brazil approves ambassador-designate Daniel Perez.

Brasília condemned the decision, accusing Washington of escalating pressure for ideological reasons and attempting to influence the election. Brazilian officials also argued that the United States broke diplomatic protocol by publicly announcing Perez's nomination before receiving Brazil's formal approval, adding that no decision would be made before the first round of voting in October.

The dispute has widened beyond diplomatic appointments.

Last month Brazil refused entry to two senior US officials, saying their planned visit on election integrity and religious freedom amounted to interference in domestic politics . Washington rejected the accusation.

The latest confrontation adds to months of deteriorating relations between the region's two largest democracies, which have also clashed over trade tariffs, organised crime and broader regional policy.

Lula has accused the Trump administration of undermining Brazil's sovereignty, while Washington maintains it is responding to actions taken by Brasília and insists it remains committed to restoring normal diplomatic ties.

“We do not believe that this is going to have an impact on the diplomatic side of the two countries,” Ravier told reporters at the Casa Rosada.

He added that Argentina had no intention of allowing the dispute to affect trade between the two “brotherly peoples”, noting that both countries are major trading partners and members of Mercosur.

“It is part of the game,” Ravier said, adding that insults had come from both sides in the past but had not been taken to the diplomatic level by Argentina.

Milei called Lula a “thief” and a “criminal” during a Liberal Party event in Sao Paulo on Saturday, where he backed Flavio Bolsonaro’s presidential candidacy.

Lula later responded that Brazil would not accept anyone “sticking their nose where it does not belong”.

Brazil subsequently recalled its ambassador to Argentina, Julio Bitelli, for consultations.

Milei added that his government sees it as a mission to warn other countries to change course before facing similar consequences.

"We are demonstrating with this Sovereign Brazil III that there is no crisis that prevents Brazil from continuing its path, from continuing with a growing economy ... We are going to finish the term growing by almost 3 percent in the three years of government," Lula said.

He criticised Washington for imposing the tariffs without consultation, arguing that countries were increasingly diversifying their trading partners and currencies .

"The abrupt decision of the US government to think that by applying the tariffs it applied without informing anyone, without speaking to anyone, the world was going to collapse," he said.

Lula added that the dispute had helped accelerate trade negotiations with other partners, including the conclusion of the long-delayed Mercosur-European Union agreement. "We have the conditions to emerge stronger from this crisis," he said, adding that Brazil was also pursuing new trade opportunities with other countries.

The additional 25 percent US tariffs on Brazilian imports took effect on Wednesday, with some products exempted.

"Do you realise that I spoke at great length and did not mention tariffs ? I am not going to talk about that because the news has to be the SUS. The news has to be our mobile units. The news has to be care for women," he said.

Lula added that he would respond only after Trump personally commented on the measure. "When Trump speaks, I will speak. As long as he does not speak, I will not speak," he said.

"We are going to prove that no one beats Brazil by lying. Either they are more sincere than us or they will not deceive Brazilian society ," Lula added.

The additional tariffs are set to take effect on July 22 and are expected to affect about 18 percent of Brazilian exports to the United States, although coffee, beef, orange juice and some aeronautical components have reportedly been exempted.

"I think it is a choice that makes a lot of sense," said BioParque biologist Cayo Souza, noting that Poty came from an institution in Foz do Iguacu, close to the Argentine border.

Souza said the prediction reflected the jaguar's curious personality.

"She chose Argentina, but then she took a look at Spain, and went back to Argentina again," he said.

He also predicted a closely contested final, suggesting it could be decided by a late goal or even a penalty shootout. The event attracted families and football fans to BioParque do Rio, while also raising awareness about jaguar conservation.

Argentina will face Spain in the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday.

Fans gathered at Newark Fan Village watched Brazil fall 2-1, yet many said the team had done enough to deserve a different result.

Mario Medina believed Brazil controlled the match but paid the price when Norway's star striker made the difference.

"It was a good match. Brazil lost because they chose to. Brazil had the opportunity the whole time - they controlled the match for the full 90 minutes - but unfortunately, the ‘monster’ (Erling Haaland) arrived and finished them off," he said.

Norway secured victory with two late goals from Erling Haaland before Neymar Jr converted a penalty deep into stoppage time, but Brazil's late response was not enough to avoid elimination.

For supporter Gabriela Sayani, the defeat was painful but not the end of Brazil's story.

"My heart is broken. I think the team needed to be united. You know that with Brazil, you have to be strong. We’ll see - in four years, we’ll be back again," she said.

Another fan, Isabel Gonzalves, also defended the team's performance.

"Nothing was missing - it’s just what happens in a game: the winner wins. Brazil did what they could, but didn't win because it wasn't meant to be. Still, Brazilian soccer always stands tall," she said.

The victory sent Norway into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in the country's history , surpassing its previous best finishes in 1938 and 1998 when it reached the Round of 16.

Norway will face England in the quarter-finals in Miami on July 11.

De Ogum is part of a community of pais and mães de santo - priests and priestesses of Afro-Brazilian religions - who regularly hold ceremonies to support Brazil during major football tournaments.

"We are Brazilians, so first of all, we have to support ourselves and pull things a little in our favour. And there is also the player who was born here in my neighbourhood, Vinicius Junior, who lived in the same neighbourhood as me, here in Portão do Rosa, in São Gonçalo. This is very important to us," he said.

The priest said his support for Vinicius Junior also reflects pride in the forward's stand against racism in football. "The greatest pride is honouring our Black people ," he said.

Brazil take on Norway on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium in the Round of 16. It will be only the second World Cup meeting between the two sides. Their only previous encounter came at the 1998 World Cup in France, when Norway defeated Brazil.

Despite women now surpassing men in higher education, they hold only 28.8% of senior leadership positions worldwide, highlighting a persistent gap that experts say limits economic resilience and long-term growth.

In Brazil, many people say those global challenges remain part of everyday life.

When Global South World asked Brazilians whether society is more gender equal today, most agreed that progress has been made, but said true equality has not yet been achieved.

"It's very unequal. The woman works much harder and earns much less," one respondent said.

Another added: "I don't think they are equal. It is deeply rooted in society . Women have fewer opportunities. There is still a lot of inequality."

One woman working in Brazil's construction industry said she had to "fight hard" to earn respect in a male-dominated workplace. She recalled an incident early in her career when a plumber became aggressive after she pointed out an installation error.

"He grabbed the mixer tap and threw it at me, shouted at me and said I knew nothing," she said.

Another woman also said one of the first questions during a recent job interview was whether she had children.

One respondent working in the metalworking industry said women remain rare in management positions and are still judged differently from men.

"Despite all the progress, women are still discriminated against in the job market. While doing the exact same job, in certain places, she still gets paid less than a man," she said.

Official figures reflect many of these concerns. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), women in Brazil earn, on average, about 20% less than men and remain underrepresented in senior leadership despite having higher levels of education. In 2023, Brazil also introduced an Equal Pay Law that requires greater salary transparency and reinforces equal pay for equal work.

Some interviewees, however, said attitudes are gradually changing.

"We know there are many situations that confirm they aren't equal. But I think these discussions are necessary for society to evolve," one respondent said.

"A lot of people are being included today. Equal rights for everyone is normal. We have to learn to live in society," another added.

The case has once again triggered debates over the rise of violence against women in Brazil. Although the legal proceedings are still in their infancy, forensic examinations demonstrated that Gisele had been assaulted by an adult and that there was no gunshot residue on the soldier's hands. There was also none found on the lieutenant colonel's hands, who decided to take a shower when the police arrived, despite explicit instructions not to do so. Bloodstains were found in the bathroom and on Rosa Neto's shorts. Furthermore, cell phone messages revealed that the soldier was subjected to humiliation by her husband.

Among the cases officially confirmed as femicides, the numbers demonstrate the severity and escalation of violence against women in the country, even though the topic is increasingly publicised and debated, from academic circles to social media protests. In the state of São Paulo alone—the state that registers the highest number of such deaths—the report from the first four months of 2026 reveals an alarming situation. From January to April, there were 107 cases of femicide, according to data from the Secretariat of Public Security. This represents a 30.5% increase compared to the same period last year. It is also the highest number recorded during the first four months of a year since 2018.

National scenario

Released in March, the study "Portrait of Femicides in Brazil" by the Brazilian Public Security Forum indicates that in 2025, the number of femicide victims in the country reached 1,568, representing a 4.7% growth compared to the previous year. The legal classification of femicide, established in 2015, considers that the crime is linked to the victim's female gender condition. Since the Maria da Penha Law went into effect, more than 13,000 women have been victims of femicide across Brazilian territory.

A cousin of physical education student Lorena Gonçalves de Oliveira, a resident of Betim (MG), is part of this terrifying statistic. "For the family, it is deeply tragic. Her ex-boyfriend did not accept the breakup, and that showed me reality: how vital it is to point out this situation to people because it is not normal. I believe this needs to be addressed within society ," she states.

Meanwhile, Larissa Martins da Silva, a civil engineering student, reports experiencing this reality on a daily basis. "Violence has become severely aggravated. It's beyond normal. I see it as an influence of men feeling power over women. There are many digital influencers who treat women as if they were objects," believes Larissa, who works in civil construction in Belo Horizonte. For her, laws need to be enforced more effectively. "They are not correctly applied."

The report by the Brazilian Public Security Forum notes that these figures are drawn from police reports registered by the civil police of each state. The actual numbers could be even higher, given that not all cases are classified as femicides at the time the report is filed, or due to a general lack of reporting altogether. 

Aggressors in the crosshairs

In May, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a package of Bills and decrees to expand protection for women and strengthen accountability mechanisms for abusers. To this end, the  Cadastro Nacional de Agressores (National Registry of Abusers) was created—a database containing the names of individuals convicted of violence against women.

Another proposal focused on the digital environment as a means to combat hate speech. Under this measure, social media platforms must act to curb the spread of crimes, fraud, and violence within their ecosystems and mitigate potential harm caused to victims. 

These measures emerged on the date marking 100 days of the National Pact Brazil Against Femicide, established between the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. In reviewing the agreement, the Ministry of Justice reported that more than 6,000 abusers of women were arrested. Over these 100 days, the judiciary expedited some of its rulings. More than half of all urgent protective orders against abusers of women are now granted on the very same day.

Disclaimer: The original article was published in Portuguese

“For the first time, I am going to include the issue of national defence in a government programme so that we can make a public commitment,” he said.

Lula stressed that Brazil has no intention of threatening other countries but said it could not afford to be unprepared.

He questioned the commitment of major powers to nuclear disarmament and pointed to military expansion by countries including Pakistan, India, China and the United States .

“It is full of madmen in the world. Right now, the president of the United States wants to keep Greenland and says that Canada is going to become a state. He wants to take the Panama Canal,” Lula said.

The president added that Brazil should recognise its size and strategic importance within Latin America .

He said he did not want war but also did not want Brazil “to be caught by surprise.”

Lula is seeking re-election in October and is expected to face right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. National security has emerged as a key issue in the campaign, with Bolsonaro focusing his proposals on tougher measures against organised crime and drug trafficking.

Brazil recorded 37.7% of women in senior management roles in 2026, up 1.1 percentage points from the previous year. Grant Thornton said salary transparency measures introduced under Law 14,611/2023, which requires companies with more than 100 employees to disclose salary data and remuneration criteria, may have contributed to greater accountability and progress in gender representation.

As a result, Brazil is among the countries with the lowest proportion of companies without women in senior management, according to Grant Thornton. "We saw good progress here in Brazil, but it is important not to stagnate at this level," said Élica Martins, Audit Partner at Grant Thornton Brazil, in a press release.

Growth in South America

South America continues to lead all regions in female representation in senior leadership, reaching 37.0% in 2026 despite a slight decline of 0.2 percentage points. Chile also advanced gender diversity efforts by approving legislation aimed at increasing female representation on corporate boards.

Globally, Europe was the only region to record an increase, albeit a modest 0.1 percentage points, while Africa and North America posted declines of more than 2 percentage points.

The Asia-Pacific region remained the weakest performer overall, with women holding 31.8% of senior management positions. Although the region includes high-performing countries such as the Philippines and Thailand, it also contains the two lowest-ranked countries, South Korea and Japan. Japan nevertheless recorded one of the year's greatest improvements, increasing by 3.1 percentage points and surpassing the 20% mark for the first time.

Leadership in the Public Sector

Female representation in Brazil's federal administration has also increased. According to the survey Profile of Leaders in the Federal Government – Gender Breakdown, women occupied 38% of top leadership positions in February 2026, up from 29% in February 2022.

Across leadership positions overall, women accounted for 39% of appointments in 2022, highlighting that the highest-ranking positions still lag behind broader leadership representation.

According to Mayara Farias, General Coordinator of Management Information at the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services (MGI), the figures indicate steady progress rather than full gender parity.

Government affirmative-action measures have contributed to that trend. One example is the National Unified Public Exam (CPNU), which required equal numbers of women and men to be called for the next recruitment stage. "Inclusion and equity policies have been producing results, even though the path to substantive equality remains under construction," Farias said.

New Challenges and Personal Costs

Despite the progress, women continue to face significant challenges after reaching leadership positions. Surveys by Lean In and McKinsey & Company have consistently found that women managers report higher levels of burnout than their male counterparts.

The Women in the Workplace 2025 report, the largest study of its kind, covering more than 120 companies and 9,000 employees, found that many organisations are reducing diversity initiatives while women continue to shoulder disproportionate workplace expectations, increasing emotional and professional strain.

Artificial intelligence is adding another layer to this challenge.

According to the report, men were 27% more likely than women to report receiving recognition for using AI at work, while 32% of women said they worried that using AI tools could lead colleagues to question the originality of their work.

AI Agents

Although the international study does not provide a country-specific analysis for Brazil, AI adoption continues to expand across workplaces, with many professionals using the technology to improve productivity and automate repetitive tasks.

For Dr. Luciana Bueno, Medical Manager for Primary Care and Rare Diseases at Daiichi Sankyo Brazil, AI has become an important research assistant.

"Artificial intelligence helps me access relevant scientific studies needed for my research. The search is much more efficient, both in terms of data quality and the design in which it is presented. This translates into more free time because I can finish my research faster and dedicate more time to the children ," she said.

Technology executive Lisiane Lemos, co-founder of the Conselheira101 Institute, a mentor at Google's Black Founders Fund, and a professor at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), cautioned that productivity gains do not always translate into better well-being.

"The more information you can access, the more time is left over. Except that this time ends up being used to add more work. That's where mental exhaustion comes in. I have to make an effort to use that time for rest. In a world with an excess of information, multi-screening, and a World Cup along the way, we won't be able to handle everything. There is no optimised version of a schedule that can solve this," she said. Disclaimer: The image used in the article is AI-generated

In public institutions, such as Banco do Brasil (BB), financing funds like  Mulheres no Topo  (Women at the Top) stand out. Launched in 2023, this platform integrates credit and training for female entrepreneurs. Since then, BB has come to serve more than 1.3 million women-owned companies, releasing over R$ 102 billion in resources through various lines of credit.

Air-Conditioned Store

  Aimed at individuals registered in the Unified Registry for Social Programs (CadÚnico) of the Federal Government , the  Acredita no Primeiro Passo  (Believe in the First Step) Program guaranteed access to low-interest credit for 176,160 female entrepreneurs—women represent 70% of the audience served by the initiative.

The social impact is visible. In Parnamirim, a city in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, self-employed worker Zenilda Aleixo owns a store selling clothes and cosmetics. With resources from the program, she set up her store in a property right next to her house.

"I managed to invest and expand the shop, and install air conditioning to make it more comfortable for customers because the climate here is very hot," Zenilda explains. 

"Financial autonomy allows us to dream and plan. I want to keep growing," she says. In total, R$ 2.27 billion was distributed by the beginning of 2026.

Rural Financing

In the Northeast, where the rates of women living below the poverty line are around 24%—above the national average— Agroamigo , a microcredit program by Banco do Nordeste aimed at farmers, reached 403,000 contracts signed by female entrepreneurs in 2025. This figure allowed them to surpass men in access to this type of financing.

For Luiz Sérgio Farias Machado, Superintendent of Agribusiness and Rural Microfinance at Banco do Nordeste, the numbers reflect a shift in gender patterns within the rural economy.

"The expansion of credit for women is directly related to the strengthening of non-agricultural initiatives, such as handicrafts, rural tourism , and small enterprises run by women, which diversify income and boost female entrepreneurship in the countryside," he said.

The diagnosis and results of the program are faithful indicators of the country's reality. According to data from the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae), women represent more than 67% of credit borrowers from the National Program for Directed Productive Microcredit (PNMPO)—more than three million Brazilian women have been served by the initiative.

Higher Interest Rates

Despite the prospect of change, women still suffer from higher interest rates than men on financing aimed at small businesses. In 2024, the study  "The Financing of Female Entrepreneurship in Brazil: A Credit Market Overview,"  conducted by Sebrae using Central Bank data, revealed that loans for male small business owners were taxed at an average of 36.8% per year, while the female audience faced rates of 40.6%.

With more than 83.5 million people in default on debt in Brazil as of May 2026, according to the credit evaluation firm Serasa Experian, these higher charges obstruct the path for women—who account for 50.5% of debt holders in the country. However, they do not seem to slow down a movement of independent economic development sustained by entrepreneurship.

Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com

“Who does Brazil have that is good at football now?” Lula asked the audience.

A young boy responded: “Neymar.”

“Neymar isn't even playing, my friend. I saw something yesterday saying that Neymar is the world's first home-office call-up. Any day now we're going to have to make a national team with artificial intelligence ,” Lula said, drawing laughter from those in attendance.

The president’s comments came as Neymar remains sidelined with an injury sustained while playing for Santos FC in the Brazilian Championship on May 17.

The injury occurred one day before Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti named the 34-year-old forward in the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Lula has made several remarks about Brazil’s national team during the tournament. Earlier, he urged players to approach matches with more “soul” and “grit”. He also joked that Brazil should try to convince Argentina captain Lionel Messi to play for the Seleção.

Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, has struggled with injuries in recent years, limiting his appearances for both club and country. His absence has left Brazil without one of its most experienced players during the World Cup campaign. Brazil secured its first 3 points at the World Cup with a 3:0 win over Haiti after drawing its first game against Morocco.

Lula said Trump was free to support the Bolsonaro family but should refrain from attempting to influence Brazil's democratic process.

"As for me, he can keep sympathising with Bolsonaro, with the father, the son, or the grandson. There is no problem at all. That is his business. But do not interfere in Brazil's elections ," Lula said.

The remarks come amid scrutiny over Eduardo Bolsonaro's contacts with US officials. According to Brazil's Supreme Court, the congressman sought support from the US government to influence legal proceedings involving his father and to encourage sanctions and international pressure against Brazil and members of its judiciary.

"If there is anyone who needs to learn from civilised elections in Brazil, it is my friend Trump," Lula said. "I only hope he does not violate the code of ethics among nations that want their sovereignty to be respected," he added.

Lula said he briefly met Trump during the G7 gathering and stressed that relations between the two countries should be based on mutual respect and respect for national sovereignty.

"The only thing I want is the same respect for Brazil that I have for the United States ," he said. The Brazilian president also revealed that he handed Trump a document outlining alleged links between organised crime in Brazil and the United States, arguing that both countries could cooperate more closely to combat criminal networks.

"I gave him everything in writing because I do not want to limit myself to talking; President Trump talks a lot and listens little," Lula said.

[This article was corrected on June 19th, 2026 to remove incorrect details about the upcoming election.]