Connectas, a Latin American media collaboration platform, has noted that several countries in the region have shifted toward the right, and even far-right, in recent months. Leaders such as Daniel Noboa in Ecuador, José Antonio Kast in Chile, Nasry Asfura in Honduras, Laura Fernández in Costa Rica, Keiko Fujimori in Peru, Abelardo de la Espriella in Colombia, and Rodrigo Paz in Bolivia have all moved the continent closer to the United States' influence. This shift aligns with what was described as Donald Trump's "Donroe doctrine," a modern interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine, originally proposed by U.S. President James Monroe in 1823. The Monroe Doctrine asserted that the Americas should be free from European colonial interference, and Trump's version aims to expand U.S. influence in the region. In March, Trump announced the formation of the Shield of the Americas, a coalition involving the United States and about a dozen Latin American countries. This group now includes 19 countries and is expected to facilitate intelligence sharing, joint military operations, and a mutual assistance structure for member states facing threats from drug cartels or gangs. Meanwhile, Brazil's current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is running for re-election and has made national sovereignty a central theme of his campaign. Lula, who is 80 years old, faces an uncertain political landscape and has promised to invest in national defense to protect Brazil. Opposing Lula is Flávio Bolsonaro, 45, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for conspiracy and attempted coup, under house arrest. According to Connectas, the October 4 election is more than just a national event—it could reshape the political landscape of South America, affecting the future of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), climate policies in the Amazon, and the balance of relations between the United States, China, and the Brics group of emerging economies. However, many Brazilian voters are more concerned with immediate issues like inflation, insecurity, and public services rather than geopolitical strategies. The Estadão, a conservative newspaper, notes that while the term "sovereignty" is noble, it is also vague and may not address the pressing concerns of Brazilian citizens. In the Northeast, a region traditionally supportive of Lula, Folha de São Paulo reports on voter disillusionment with Lula's perceived inability to address problems during his previous term. Despite being rich in rare earth resources, Brazil has struggled with economic challenges, such as the recent sale of the Minaçu mine, which is the only commercial rare earth mine in the country, to American investors. This situation highlights the issue of sovereignty and has led Lula to push for legislation to enhance Brazil's strategic independence, contrasting with his opponent's promise of closer U.S. collaboration in the metals sector. The influence of Donald Trump looms large over this election.