Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) (AFP) - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva celebrated on Thursday that "making the L", the gesture of his followers, has become a "symbol of struggle" in the world after his re-election in Brazil.

First modification: 06/11/2026 - 18:15

"That Brazil becomes an example of progressivism in the world, that the L becomes a symbol of struggle in the world, is something that gives pride," he said in a live broadcast on YouTube.

"The L is yours, it was you who raised it," he added along with André Janones, creator of the so-called "Lula's Army", a digital movement of his supporters.

The gesture, which consists of forming that letter with the thumb and index finger extended, is an old sign of support for the leftist and was reinvigorated in the campaign for his fourth term.

After his surprise victory on October 25 against conservative senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the L began to be seen at political events outside Brazil.

The day after the runoff, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum did so at a press conference.

In Spain, the head of government, Pedro Sánchez, said that Lula's victory marked the beginning of "the comeback of progressivism," and his Socialist Party uses the L in propaganda for the November 29 elections.

Images of the gesture also circulated at demonstrations in France, Italy and Lebanon, among other countries.

Lula's Army, a key strategy after the first round won by Flávio Bolsonaro, also aroused interest abroad.

Deputy Janones presents himself as a "general", calls the more than 10 million followers of the "Army" a "troop" and entrusts them with "missions", such as viralizing content or mobilizing in the streets.

"It was not a victory for Brazil, it was a victory for the world," Lula said.

The president considered his victory even more important because in the same week the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, "lost in Israel," and "it seems that friend Trump is losing in the United States."

"I feel a little sad for them," he said, before recalling a conversation with the American president.

"I told him: 'Trump, you have to choose whether you want to be a feared leader or a beloved leader.' People want to listen to a beloved leader; people hide from a feared leader for fear of being hit."

© 2026 AFP

The content you requested does not exist or is no longer available.