Mission and Aid · October 30, 2026
Also published in Português (Brasil)
Missionaries in Brazil welcome Lula's victory as a hope for the poor and the Amazon
Missionaries operating across Brazil have expressed joy and relief following the electoral victory of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The win is viewed by these religious figures as a source of hope for the poorest sectors of society, indigenous communities, and the protection of the Amazon rainforest. The election result occurred after weeks of intense tension and fear among the population.
Lula secured 51.79 percent of the votes in the second round, defeating his opponent Flavio Bolsonaro. This victory represents Lula's fourth term as president. The margin of victory was significant, with Lula receiving more than 64 million votes, which is over 10 million more than he received in the first round. His opponent received 48.21 percent of the votes.
Father Corrado Dalmonego, a missionary from the Consolata congregation and an anthropologist, has lived in Brazil for more than twenty years. He works in close contact with the Yanomami people in the state of Roraima. Dalmonego noted that many Yanomami individuals traveled for entire days by canoe and boat to reach voting centers. He stated that the election avoided a serious threat of a dictatorial system or an extremist group governing with violence. He emphasized that the legislative branch remains in the hands of a defeated group that won many Senate seats, posing a risk to the new administration.
The primary challenge for the Amazon, according to Dalmonego, is preventing the liberalization of mining on indigenous lands and other large-scale projects in Parliament. He highlighted the continued presence of illegal gold miners, known as garimpeiros, in Yanomami territory. These miners were prepared to return in large numbers, believing Bolsonaro would win. Dalmonego described the garimpeiros as very violent and stated that the election provides hope for dialogue with the executive branch, even if legislative structures remain hostile.
Father Flavio Lazzarin, a missionary from the Congregation of the Faith in São Luís, Maranhão, described the atmosphere as festive. He noted that fears present until the eve of the second round have faded into serenity. Lazzarin, who is also a sociologist, pointed out that the victory demonstrates it is possible to temporarily halt the global rise of the extreme right. He observed a mobilization of youth in Brazil, with protests in cities of all sizes. He stated that young people are rejecting the current political system and seeking new paths based on coexistence and fraternity.
Father Alfredo Dorea, an Afro-Brazilian Anglican priest in Salvador, Bahia, shared the view that Lula's victory is a concrete hope for the most disadvantaged sectors of the population. The election results were met with celebration by indigenous peoples, Afro-Brazilians, minorities, migrants, and human rights defenders. Bolsonaro had initially announced he would request the annulment of the vote, citing manipulation due to a judge's decision to delay the closing of polling stations by two hours. He later retracted this and announced he would exercise opposition to Lula.