Brazil Elections: Lula Leads Massive Rally Amid Corruption Scrutiny on Bolsonaro’s Candidacy

Original article: Elecciones en Brasil: Lula lidera acto multitudinario, mientras candidatura de Bolsonaro está bajo escrutinio por presunta corrupción

As presidential elections in Brazil approach, incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, seeking re-election, led a large-scale rally in São Paulo on Saturday, while his opponent, far-right Flavio Bolsonaro, faces judicial scrutiny over alleged corruption.

Lula concluded his campaign with a caravan alongside thousands of supporters, joined by his vice-presidential candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and key figures from the paulista government, marking the last public event before the first-round voting.

The significant turnout of the rally reflects important political sentiment, as São Paulo alone has over 34 million voters, while Minas Gerais boasts more than 16.3 million and Rio de Janeiro has around 12.9 million.

During his speech at the rally, the progressive leader reaffirmed his government’s commitment to prohibit electronic betting, end the 6×1 workweek, and prevent the return of bolsonarismo to the presidency.

Lula characterized the election as a battle between differing political projects, reiterating the need to defend democracy, human rights, and education as central themes of his campaign. He also criticized online betting platforms.

«This is the march that ends the game. No one will profit by extorting the poor of this country. No one will gamble away money meant for children’s milk and bread,» he stated.

He urged the crowd to participate in the elections and defend democracy and sovereignty in Brazil against any far-right attempts to seize the presidency.

«We have only a few hours left to make the greatest gesture of the democratic revolution of this country. They destroyed everything, and we will rebuild it (…) Tomorrow we will approach the polls with great tranquility, aware of what is at stake. On one side, democracy and sovereignty. On the other, barbarism and corruption,» he asserted.

Bolsonaro’s Campaign Under Judicial Scrutiny

On the other hand, far-right candidate Flávio Bolsonaro held campaign events in Minas Gerais alongside regional far-right figures. However, his campaign is facing investigations due to allegations of money laundering, corruption, and currency evasion.

His vice-presidential running mate, Alfredo Gaspar, is also under judicial scrutiny, as the Federal Police requested the Supreme Court to investigate him for the alleged violation of a minor years ago, a request currently in the hands of the Attorney General.

The «Dark Horse» Scandal

Additionally, Bolsonaro is under investigation by the Federal Police linking him to the former owner of Banco Master, Daniel Vorcaro, and an alleged $24 million fraud financing “Dark Horse,” a film about the life of his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro.

Specifically, Flávio Bolsonaro is being investigated for corruption, money laundering, and currency evasion related to the film production.

The investigation, which began last July, became publicly known in mid-September after the Supreme Court judge, André Mendonça, lifted the secrecy regarding the Banco Master fraud.

In this case, Vorcaro is accused of “attempting to bribe a former director of the Central Bank to neutralize inspections and investigations about his operations.”

A Federal Police report identifies Bolsonaro as a “direct interlocutor” of the banker in negotiations for the financing of Dark Horse, with records of payments, in-person meetings, and monitoring of filming progress.

According to TeleSUR, police documents include transfers to entities in the United States, flights on shared private planes with financial operators, and suspicious billing directed to consultancies linked to Vorcaro.

Furthermore, The Intercept Brasil reported that «between February and May 2025, at least US$ 10.6 million was paid in 6 transactions to finance the film project related to the Bolsonaro family.» It also revealed messages that Flávio Bolsonaro sent to Vorcaro on November 16, 2025.

According to the investigation, “one day after Flávio’s message, Vorcaro was arrested while attempting to flee the country for running a fraud scheme that caused a loss of R$ 47 billion to the Credit Guarantee Fund. The next day, November 18, his bank was liquidated by the Central Bank.

When The Intercept Brasil asked Flávio about Vorcaro’s financing of the film, the far-right politician responded: “It’s a lie.” Hours later, that same May 13, he published a statement and a video on social media admitting that he had sought Vorcaro for sponsorship, although he denied offering any advantages in exchange.

As the electoral contest reaches its final stretch, the accumulation of controversies creates an institutional crisis for the Brazilian far-right and undermines the image of Flávio Bolsonaro.

A total of 158 million Brazilians are called to the polls this Sunday to elect the next President, state governors, senators, federal deputies, and regional legislators.

If no candidate achieves an outright majority of valid votes in this first round, the two candidates with the most support will face off in a runoff scheduled for October 25.