Brazil votes in a tense Lula vs. Bolsonaro runoff with U.S. influence over Latin America at stake

Brazil is conducting a tense presidential runoff election between left-of-center veteran politician Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro. This polarizing contest pits the incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva against Bolsonaro, who is an ally of Donald Trump and the son of an imprisoned former president. The outcome of this election is seen as critical, as it directly impacts the level of U.S. influence over Latin America during this highly contested and significant political transition period.