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Trump’s return will boost the far right in Brazil
With Trump coming back to power, interventions aimed at regime change and a far-right resurgence in the region are heavily on the agenda, writes MATT WILLGRESS, calling on the international left to prepare to act in solidarity
PROGRESS AND REACTION: Right-wing Bolsonaro followers attempt to overturn the result by storming the presidential palace in the capital Brasilia, January 8 2023

THE return of Donald Trump to the US presidency raises the spectre of him renewing his interventions and “regime change” efforts in neighbouring Latin America, alongside giving a massive boost to the region’s significant far-right forces.

On the latter point, one place where this will be of particular concern to progressives globally is the economic powerhouse Brazil. Here, the far right — and top Trump buddy — Jair Bolsonaro lost the last presidential election to Lula in 2022. Now, anti-democratic forces have welcomed the Trump victory and are now seeking a renewed wave of organisation.

Bolsonaro himself has said: “Trump is back, and it’s a sign we’ll be back, too,” and this week said he has been invited to the upcoming inauguration.

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