If Flávio Bolsonaro wins Brazil’s October 25 presidential runoff, Mexico will become the only major country in Latin America still governed by the left. This will leave the country very vulnerable to bullying and coercion by Donald Trump, but Claudia Sheinbaum can take steps to reduce the risk.
MEXICO CITY—The political map of Latin America has been redrawn with incredible speed. As of April 2025, centrist or far-right forces have won power in Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, and Peru. In Argentina, President Javier Milei’s populist party won a decisive victory in last October’s midterm elections. And in Brazil, right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro finished ahead of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the first round of the new presidential election 47% to 45%.