Mexico City, Mexico – Donald Trump has won the 2024 U.S. presidential election by landslide, and as the U.S. paves the way for Trump’s second term, leaders around Latin America react to his return.
Leader of the largest economy in Latin America, Brazil’s Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, was among the first world leaders to congratulate Trump on his election through his X account, championing the U.S. democracy.
“My congratulations to President Donald Trump for his electoral victory and return to the presidency of the United States. Democracy is the voice of the people, and it must always be respected. The world needs dialogue and joint efforts to achieve more peace, development, and prosperity. I wish good luck and success to the new government,” wrote Lula.
By amassing 312 electoral college votes and over 75 million popular votes, Trump not only bested the Democratic candidate Kamala Harris but became the first Republican to win the popular vote in 20 years.
Through X, the Peruvian presidential offices congratulated Trump on behalf of Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, underscoring the need for closer ties with Washington.
“The President of Peru, Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra, congratulates candidate Donald Trump for achieving victory in the democratic process held yesterday in the United States of America. We are confident that during his mandate, the strong strategic relationship between our countries in areas such as investment, trade, and other important sectors will continue to deepen and expand,” read the statement in X.
Similarly, Chile’s Gabriel Boric also shared an amicable and straight-foward message to Trump through X.
“We congratulate the President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump. Chile reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the relationship with the United States in favor of inclusive development, respect for human rights, and the protection of democracy in our region. We continue working for the well-being of our peoples,” wrote Boric.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his support to Trump. In a seemingly cautious tone, the leftist leader urged Trump to end economic blockades to countries in South America and to end the genocide in Gaza.
“The American people have spoken, and their decision is respected. Congratulations to Trump on his victory. The North-South dialogue remains relevant, and the reality of climate collapse will drive the focus toward its solution. The only way to secure the borders is through the prosperity of the peoples of the South and the end of blockades. The progressive possibility in the U.S. could not applaud the genocide in Gaza,” wrote Petro on X.
While Petro has been a vocal critic of the year-old war waged by Israel against Hamas in Palestine, Trump has been ironclad in his support towards Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, going as far as recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 2017.
In a warmer tone and with the only congratulatory message written in English, President Javier Milei from Argentina lauded Trump’s victory, pledging his government to further Trump’s endeavors.
“Congratulations on your formidable electoral victory. Now, Make America Great Again. You know that You can count on Argentina to carry out your task. Success and blessings. Best regards, Javier Milei,” wrote the libertarian president on X.
The Venezuelan government also congratulated Trump, despite constant frictions and even alleged threats of military intervention during Trump’s first administration. The presidential offices of Venezuela said they were open to a good relationship with Washington.
“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela congratulates the people of the United States of America for the Presidential elections held on November 5, 2024, and President-elect Donald J. Trump for his victory in this process. Venezuela will always be willing to establish good relations with the U.S. government, framed in a spirit of dialogue, respect, and reason,” read the statement.
Regarding Mexico, the U.S.’s leading trading partner, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum refrained from congratulating Trump’s victory immediately, mirroring the same foreign policy of her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who refrained from congratulating President Joe Biden in 2020 for over 30 days.
However, as U.S. authorities officially named Trump as the victor of the presidential election, the Mexican President took to X to congratulate her U.S. counterpart.
“I extend my sincere congratulations to Donald Trump, who emerged as the winner of the United States presidential election. On behalf of Mexico, we acknowledge the American people for their democratic exercise during the election process. I am confident that we will continue working together in a coordinated manner, with dialogue and respect for our sovereignties, to advance the broad bilateral agenda that connects us,” she wrote.
Earlier in the day, the Mexican leader addressed the possible concerns surging from Trump’s commercial threats and campaign promises of mass deportations and complete closure of their shared border.
“There is no reason for concern. To our fellow countrymen and countrywomen, to their relatives who are here, to Mexican businessmen and businesswomen, there is no reason for concern. Mexico always comes out ahead,” she said.
