‘트럼프식 선거 개입’에 중남미 흔들…국경 넘어선 ‘우파 연대’

South American leaders of the right-wing have been increasingly supporting specific candidates in neighboring countries' elections, strengthening a "right-wing alliance" that crosses borders. This trend could influence Brazil's presidential election in October, potentially intensifying political pressure on Brazil and Mexico, both of which currently have leftist governments, according to a New York Times report on March 23.

The most visible manifestation of this movement is in Brazil, where President Jair Bolsonaro explicitly endorsed right-wing candidate Jair Bolsonaro in a public speech in São Paulo on May 25, criticizing his leftist opponent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as a "thief" and "socialist garbage." Brazil responded by recalling its ambassador from Argentina and demanding the recalled ambassador's departure; Brazil's ambassador in Argentina was also asked to leave the country.

This election interference led to a serious diplomatic rift between the two nations for the first time in decades. Colombia also experienced a similar situation in May, when right-wing candidate Alvaro Uribe, then the candidate for the right-wing party, publicly supported his Colombian counterpart and announced that Colombia would eliminate tariffs on Colombian products if elected.

The United States has been leading this trend through its "America's Shield" security alliance, promoting conservative leaders in exchange for support in financial aid and rapid military and disaster relief. The alliance primarily focuses on combating drug trafficking and organized crime, excluding leftist governments like Brazil and Mexico.

The rise of this right-wing alliance is not a new phenomenon; Venezuela and Cuba have maintained a leftist alliance for a long time. However, the distinctive feature of this current right-wing alliance is the public endorsement of political preferences and election interference through social media, which was previously concealed.

Brazilian foreign policy expert José Afonso Graça Lima, chairman of the Brazil International Relations Center, noted that while political preferences have always existed, they were previously hidden; now, they are clearly visible. Experts warn that ideological alignment between leaders may lead to economic disagreements, as Brazil is Colombia's largest trading partner.

A default in their diplomatic relations could significantly impact Brazil's ability to secure foreign currency and repay its debt, especially considering Argentina's multi-billion-dollar debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).