US faces fresh accusations of meddling in Brazil’s 2026 presidential race

During the early 1960s the Kennedy administration secretly funneled millions of dollars to Brazilian opposition groups to undermine left-wing President João Goulart, a strategy recalled by activists as a template for today’s alleged interference. In the lead-up to Brazil’s October 2026 presidential election, which pits incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva against far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro, U.S. officials are accused of applying overt economic levers, such as a 25% tariff on most Brazilian imports and labeling the Red Command and First Command of the Capital as foreign terrorist organizations, to weaken Lula’s standing.

Reports say two Trump aides were denied visas after plans to meet Bolsonaro surfaced, and Brazil’s ambassador to Washington was subsequently recalled. Critics, including political scientist Celso Rocha de Barros, argue the open nature of this pressure marks a stark departure from the covert Cold-War tactics of the CIA and the State Department. The State Department rejected the allegations, calling any suggestion of a “ploy” to undermine Brazil’s election a baseless lie. The controversy reflects broader concerns about U.S. attempts to reshape Latin American politics ahead of upcoming regional elections.