PlatôBR: Lula's government expects further moves from Trump in South America

Aides to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva are already certain that U.S. President Donald Trump will interfere in the presidential elections taking place in South America in 2025 and next year. Bolivia and Chile will elect their next presidents by the end of this year. In Colombia and Brazil, the elections will take place in 2026.

Trump, Brazilian president's aides believe, should declare support for right-wing candidates in all four countries and signal possible benefits, similar to those granted to Javier Milei's Argentina, such as visa exemptions for entry into the United States.

In Bolivia and Chile, left-wing governments have been experiencing low popularity, and the right-wing has a real chance of victory. In Colombia, the public security crisis has weakened Gustavo Petro's progressive government.

In Brazil, Lula has seen his popularity soar in the face of Trump's commercial and political interference. But government supporters fear that new White House measures could weaken the administration.