Brazil's Lula, 80, officially launches bid for fourth term, says he's 'in great shape'

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who turned 80, officially confirmed on Sunday that he will run in October's presidential elections. Speaking at his party's convention, the veteran leftist said he was "in great shape" and determined to fight aging, which is why he exercises his legs and arms and walks for an hour every day. He also claimed to be fitter now than when he first became president in 2002. This will be his seventh campaign for the country's top job.

Lula's Workers' Party formally endorsed him as its candidate. His chief opponent, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, has received open support from members of the Trump administration, Argentina's President Javier Milei and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In his convention speech, Lula said Brazil must boost its defense industry and safeguard its rare minerals, adding that "no Chinese, no American, no French" would touch those resources without respecting the South American nation's sovereignty.

He also stressed that Brazil needs to be much bolder to change many things. Party members voiced concerns about foreign interference in the election, pointing to Trump and Milei. The Workers' Party chairman, Edinho Silva, said the election in Brazil determines the future of Latin America, noting that Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia have recently elected Trump-inspired presidents.

Flávio's father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, once an ally of Trump, is now serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest for an attempted coup. Lula, by contrast, has attracted centrist parties and his poll numbers have improved over the past six months. His campaign is emphasizing changes to the income tax system that would reduce taxes for lower-income people, as well as a debt forgiveness program that has quickly become popular.

Workers' Party politicians have warned of foreign-sponsored threats involving coordinated bot campaigns and social media manipulation aimed at influencing voters and undermining confidence in Brazil's electronic voting system. Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, who is running again with Lula, said Sunday that Brazil's electronic voting system "is so good that it doesn't take votes from Argentines and Americans," in an apparent jab at Milei and Trump.

The Trump administration has imposed new tariffs on Brazilian exports and reclassified two local criminal groups as terrorist organizations, which legal analysts believe could harm companies and open the door for other forms of intervention. Both steps came after Senator Bolsonaro visited the White House and the State Department. Milei visited São Paulo on July 25 to speak at Bolsonaro's party convention, triggering a diplomatic crisis by insulting Lula and the Supreme Court justice who oversaw the elder Bolsonaro's trial.

Netanyahu recorded a video supporting Lula's opponent. Lula says he is defending Brazil's national sovereignty and recently held a long call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, leader of one of Brazil's key trading partners. Supporters say he could lead the Mercosur trade bloc in striking deals with partners worldwide. On Wednesday, Lula said he does not want Trump as an enemy.