Brazilian President and incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva closed his re-election campaign with a massive rally in Rio de Janeiro on Friday (October 2), ahead of Sunday's (October 4) first-round election.

Thousands of supporters waving flags and banners gathered in Rio de Janeiro's center as Lula delivered his final campaign pitch before voters head to the polls.

The leftist Latin American leader spoke from atop a vehicle and called for the defense of national sovereignty and democracy, warning against efforts by far-right supporters to undermine Brazil.

Brazilians will vote for president on Sunday in a race that will determine whether Latin America's largest nation follows the conservative shift that US President Donald Trump has often cheered on from Washington.

Lula and his allies have warned of foreign interference in the election, pointing to tariffs and an effort by Washington to send officials to Brazil to "discuss electoral integrity."

Polls show Lula and right-wing challenger Flavio Bolsonaro in a tight race, likely heading to an October 25 runoff. Flavio is the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence for attempting to overturn his 2022 election defeat to Lula.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (OCTOBER 2, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. SUPPORTERS OF BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT, LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA, HOLDING BANNER WITH HIS FACE ON IT

2. BRAZIL'S LULA WAVING AT SUPPORTERS FROM VEHICLE DURING CLOSING CAMPAIGN RALLY

3. SUPPORTERS AT RALLY DANCING AND MAKING “L” FOR LULA WITH HANDS, ANOTHER SUPPORTER KISSING SHIRT WITH LULA’S STICKER

4. LULA AND OTHER CANDIDATES CAMPAIGNING ON TOP OF VEHICLE, DRIVING PAST SUPPORTERS

5. VARIOUS OF LULA DA SILVA, WAVING BRAZILIAN FLAG ON TOP OF VEHICLE

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT, LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA, SAYING:

"What we want is national sovereignty. Here no foreigner is going to meddle in Brazil's affairs. There is already a Bolsonaro supporter (Eduardo Bolsonaro) over there, in the United States, trying to sell Brazil, just like the rest of his family. Because we are not going to allow anyone to exploit our wealth. Our critical minerals and our rare earths are the heritage of the Brazilian people."

7. VARIOUS OF SUPPORTERS WITH BANNERS AND FLAGS AT RALLY

8. LULA TAKING SELFIE WITH SUPPORTER

9. LULA JUMPING ON TOP OF VEHICLE TO RHYTHM OF MUSIC

10. SUPPORTERS AT RALLY WITH FLAGS

11. SUPPORTER STANDING ON PUBLIC TRANSIT STATION MAKING “L” FOR LULA WITH HANDS

12. LULA HOLDING CHILD ON TOP OF VEHICLE

13. RALLY

14. WOMAN DRESSED AS OUR LADY OF APARECIDA AT RALLY

15. LULA HOLDING SUPPORTER'S HAND

16. LULA ON TOP OF VEHICLE SURROUNDED BY SUPPORTERS WITH FLAGS

17. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) AUDIOVISUAL DIRECTOR, NORMA NASCIMENTO, SAYING:

"I hope Lula defends democracy; that is what he has to do. The next years with Lula will be very difficult. I am sure of it, it will not be easy. Because we are under attack not only inside Brazil, but the far right is gaining ground all over the world."

17. SUPPORTER WITH LULA MASK

18. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) TEACHER, JULIA VITORIA, SAYING:

"I am going to vote for Lula for the second time now, officially. And I hope that in this government we will really manage to put an end to the 6x1 work schedule (eds note: refers to work schedule for workers laboring six days a week with one day off). And not only that, but to effectively have investments in public universities again."

19. LULA AND OTHER CANDIDATES ON TOP OF VEHICLE SURROUNDED BY SUPPORTERS AT RALLY

20. LULA BLOWING KISSES AT CROWD DURING RALLY

21. VARIOUS OF RALLY ENDING IN FRONT OF MUNICIPAL THEATER BUILDING