STORY: Brazilian right-wing senator and presidential candidate, Flavio Bolsonaro, closed his campaign with a massive rally in Minas Gerais on Friday (October 2), ahead of Sunday's (October 4) first-round election.

Supporters waving flags and banners gathered in Montes Claros as Bolsonaro delivered his final campaign pitch before voters head to the polls, with security emerging as one of the defining issues.

Bolsonaro, whose father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, is under house arrest after being sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting to overturn the 2022 election, is pushing for harsher sentences, the classification of drug cartels such as Comando Vermelho as terrorist organizations, and military-style police operations.

His main opponent, President Luiz Inacio Lula, who is competing for his fourth term, is advocating for coordinated federal-state action, unified intelligence tactics, and a more strategic approach to law enforcement.

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.

Polls show right-wing Flavio Bolsonaro and incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a tight race, likely heading to an October 25 runoff.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: MONTES CLAROS, MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL (OCTOBER 2, 2026) (ORIGINALLY SHOT IN PORTRAIT) (FLAVIO BOLSONARO CAMPAIGN HANDOUT - Access all) (NIGHT SHOTS)

1. BRAZILIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND SON OF FORMER BRAZIL PRESIDENT JAIR BOLSONARO, FLAVIO BOLSONARO, AT CAMPAIGN CLOSING RALLY / BOLSONARO SUPPORTERS CHEERING

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZILIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FLAVIO BOLSONARO SAYING (SOUNDBITE ENDS WITH SHOT OF SUPPORTERS CHEERING):

"Bolsonaro and Brazil are very proud of each of you who are part of this movement to rescue Brazil. In just a few hours we will free Brazil from captivity."

3. CAMPAIGN CLOSING RALLY IN PROGRESS

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZILIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FLAVIO BOLSONARO SAYING (SOUNDBITE STARTS WITH SHOT OF SUPPORTERS CHEERING):

"I will honour the trust of each of you, and I will run the most badass [greatest] government in the history of this Brazil! Because we will end this era of the PT so that we never again hear the word Lula. Lula, thief!"

5. SUPPORTERS CHEERING AT CLOSING CAMPAIGN RALLY / BOLSONARO TAKING SELFIE WITH CROWD / SUPPORTERS CHEERING / BOLSONARO GREETING SUPPORTERS

6. BOLSONARO SURROUNDED BY PRESS (NOT SOUNDBITE)