Brazil launches probe into alleged Trump administration plan to fund far-right causes in the country

The investigation comes as both Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro prepare to contest each other for what is being described as a consequential election in Brazil, that could shape the developing economy’s forecast and future for decades to come.

Brazil's attorney general asked the police on Thursday to investigate allegations that US President Donald Trump's administration was using government funds to promote a "far-right agenda" in the South American country.

Brazil is three days away from a hotly contested presidential election pitting leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva against Flavio Bolsonaro, a right-wing senator – son and political heir to embattled former conservative President Jair Bolsonaro.

Lula has made Brazil's sovereignty a central campaign theme, warning against "meddling" by Trump, who has backed several right-wing candidates in recent Latin American elections.

Attorney General Jorge Messias called for the probe a day after the UK’s The Guardian newspaper published an article alleging the Trump administration planned to award $1 million (€888,800) to fund civil society groups opposing Brazil's Supreme Court.

The article "raises a serious red flag regarding Brazilian sovereignty," Messias wrote in a post on X. He added that efforts to meddle in Brazilian institutions "cannot be tolerated."

Copyright for this text belongs to Euronews.