South America is becoming "a completely different place" in "a very positive way," U.S. President Donald Trump declared Tuesday, days before the second round of the Brazilian elections.

"South America is becoming a completely different place, and it is prospering. And, as you know, I backed many of those people," Trump said, referring to several presidents in the region who came to power with his support.

Trump was asked about the situation in France, where serious disturbances have occurred in recent days, initially related to student protests.

The Republican president avoided taking a position in favor of the favorite in the French presidential elections, Marine Le Pen, but drew a parallel with the wave of conservative victories in Latin America, which began before he returned to the White House.

"I backed many of those people. Every one of those I backed won, including the new president of Colombia, who is great, 'El Tigre,'" Trump said, referring to the nickname of Abelardo de la Espriella.

"In a short time, they are becoming extremely conservative in a very positive way," he added.

The shift to the right accelerated in the last year and a half, and a victory by conservative Brazilian candidate Flávio Bolsonaro over leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva would be an important addition.

Brazil faces the second round of elections this Sunday, after Bolsonaro defeated Lula by two points in the first round.