President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on June 30, 2026 [1], that no one owns South America during a Mercosul summit in Asunción, Paraguay [2].
The remarks signal a push for greater regional independence from global powers and set the stage for a high-stakes domestic political battle in Brazil.
Speaking to regional leaders, Lula said global protectionism is a problem and argued that South American nations must increase their autonomy to avoid being caught in the disputes between global powers [3]. He specifically targeted U.S.-led protectionist trends, suggesting that the continent must define its own economic path [4].
To facilitate this integration, Lula proposed the implementation of a regional payment system for Mercosul countries modeled after Pix, Brazil's instant payment platform [5]. He said such a system would reduce dependence on external financial infrastructures, and streamline trade across borders [5].
Beyond economic policy, the president addressed the political future of Brazil. Lula said he intends to run for a fourth presidential term [6]. He said this bid is necessary to safeguard democracy within his country [6].
During the summit, the president also requested a moment of silence to honor victims in Venezuela [7]. This gesture highlighted the ongoing tension between regional integration goals, and the volatile political climate in neighboring states [7].
Lula's rhetoric reflects a broader strategy to position Brazil as the primary leader of a unified South American bloc. By framing regional autonomy as a defense against external influence, he seeks to align the Mercosul nations under a shared economic and political vision [4].
““Ninguém é dono da América do Sul””
Lula's announcement of a fourth-term bid, coupled with his challenge to U.S. influence, suggests a strategy of linking his domestic political survival to a broader ideological project of South American sovereignty. By proposing concrete tools like a regional payment system, he is attempting to move Mercosul from a trade agreement to a more integrated economic union that can withstand external geopolitical pressure.
