APTOPIX Brazil Election

Opposition presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro gives a thumbs-up to supporters as he arrives at a hotel before his campaign rally in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026.

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Brazil's Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro return to their strongholds to kick off presidential campaigns

Brazil's Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro return to their strongholds to kick off presidential campaigns

Brazil's presidential candidates have kicked off their campaigns ahead of what is expected to be tight election in October. President Lula da Silva spoke to over 10,000 supporters near Sao Paulo, where he first rose to political fame. Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, gathered with voters on Copacabana beach. Lula warned against foreign interference, referring to accusations that the U.S. is supporting Bolsonaro. Both candidates aimed to appeal to women voters, who make up nearly 53% of the electorate. Bolsonaro addressed security concerns, claiming to have received 1,800 death threats, and vowed to fight crime and left-wing ideology in schools.