Brazilians voted Sunday in a tight runoff that could move Latin America's largest nation sharply rightward, bringing it closer to the United States amid a broader conservative shift across the region.
The runoff pits leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva against right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of convicted former President Jair Bolsonaro. Flavio scored a major upset at the start of the month, defying pollsters to lead in the first round.
A 45-vote victory for Bolsonaro would extend a wave of right-wing wins for Latin American candidates friendly to U.S. President Donald Trump, while a fourth mandate for Lula would disappoint Washington, which has clashed with his government over trade and security.
Reuters on Saturday revealed a campaign within Trump's State Department to help get the Bolsonaros back in power.
Trump has so far declined to endorse a candidate. Asked on Sunday who he hoped would win, Trump declined to say.