A bipartisan group of congressional Democrats sent correspondence to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday expressing concern about what they characterized as deliberate efforts by the Trump administration to influence Brazil’s upcoming election. The Democratic members, comprising 30 representatives and Senator Bernie Sanders, contended that US actions have been designed to support far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro in the first round of voting scheduled for 4 October.
The lawmakers detailed multiple administration actions they view as interference, including tariffs imposed on Brazil in connection with former president Jair Bolsonaro’s legal proceedings related to an alleged coup attempt. They also referenced additional tariffs implemented in July under section 301 of US trade law, as well as a planned diplomatic visit by US officials intended to question the reliability of Brazil’s voting infrastructure. Brazil’s government denied entry visas to the US delegation, according to the letter.
The Democratic members characterized these actions as part of a broader pattern of electoral interference across Latin America. They referenced similar objections raised in July regarding US conduct during Colombia’s presidential election, and mentioned concerns about Argentina’s recent midterm elections and Honduras’s presidential vote.
Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has publicly criticized Trump’s administration, alleging interference attempts in recent remarks to the United Nations. Current polling indicates a technical tie between Lula and Bolsonaro heading into the election. The congressional Democrats requested that the Trump administration commit to respecting Brazil’s electoral integrity and asked for a response by 1 October. The State Department has not yet provided comment on the letter.
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