Brazilian Intelligence Raises Alarm Over Trump’s Intensified Pressure Amid Election Campaign and Strategic Rivalry with China

Original article: Inteligencia brasileña advierte escalada de presión de Trump en plena campaña electoral y apunta a disputa con China por recursos estratégicos

The Brazilian Intelligence Agency (ABIN) has issued a warning that, during the presidential election campaign, there is a mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, stemming from a competition with China over Latin America’s strategic resources.

ABIN has alerted the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is seeking reelection in the upcoming elections on October 4, regarding what it deems a «critical» level of interference from the Republican magnate, who aims to support conservative governments and reorient the foreign policies of regional nations to wrest «strategic assets and natural wealth» from the Asian giant.

The document, sent to the Brazilian presidency, the Ministry of Justice, and the Supreme Electoral Court in late August, describes a «trend of escalating pressure on Brazil» and explicitly mentions the potential for influence and interference from the United States.

In this context, it cites U.S. strategic documents disclosed between November 2025 and May 2026, asserting that «the reaffirmation of U.S. hegemony in Latin America is the priority of Trump’s second administration».

Among the objectives that ABIN attributes to the current administration are the «reduction of rival powers’ influence» in Latin America, especially China, and preventing them from accessing strategic assets, natural resources, and infrastructure in the region. According to the report, the intention is to favor the «direct or indirect control of the U.S. government or through U.S. private capital».

Specifically regarding Brazil, the document highlights that the government of Lula da Silva has the «greatest political willingness and means to defend its strategic autonomy against U.S. pressures». However, it warns that since May, there has been a «trend of increased pressure» from Washington, evident with sanctions imposed in July on two Brazilians and three companies based in Brazil and one in Portugal, defended by the Trump administration under the premise of alleged links to the criminal group First Capital Command (PCC).

According to the intelligence agency, such coercive measures can «induce national and international economic agents to adopt preventive behaviors based on reputational risk, access to the U.S. financial system, or imposition of secondary sanctions», as reported by Diario Red.

The report emphasizes the role of Secretary of State and National Security Advisor to Trump, Marco Rubio, noting that he was the one who attributed to President Lula da Silva «the responsibility for the imposition of tariffs» on products from the South American nation, claiming that «Brazil did not negotiate in good faith».

These warnings come at a critical time as the South American country is undergoing its election campaign for the presidential elections on October 4, which could lead to a second round on the 25th of the same month if necessary. In this race, Lula da Silva, the current president and leader of the Workers’ Party (PT), reportedly holds a 39% chance of winning, while Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro and far-right candidate of the Liberal Party (PL), is at 37%.

In the event of a runoff, the progressive leader is projected to achieve 46% of the votes, compared to Bolsonaro’s anticipated 44%.