By Karim Hammam
Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro arrived in Miami on Wednesday and denied fleeing his home country, declaring himself the rightful leader of Brazil while thanking former U.S. President Donald Trump for welcoming him.
Claims of Electoral Coup
The 45-year-old senator, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, said he left Brazil "for the sake of Brazil" and alleged he was a victim of an electoral coup after refusing to concede the presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. He initially described himself as the "elected president" in a letter to Brazilians, then replaced it with a version calling himself the "leader" of Brazil.
Legal Investigations and Passport Order
Bolsonaro is under investigation by Brazil’s Supreme Court for alleged corruption, money laundering, and tax evasion in two cases. The court ordered him to surrender his regular and diplomatic passports by noon Tuesday, though allies say he holds an Italian passport. Argentina’s migration authority said he left Brazil through Argentina and Ecuador with his wife and two daughters.
International Reactions
Lula, who turned 81 on Tuesday, called Bolsonaro’s departure "shameful" and said he could have stayed to prove the accusations false. Trump declined to comment on Bolsonaro’s remarks but reiterated that the Bolsonaro family was treated "very unfairly." Brazil’s electoral authority chief Kassio Nunes Marques stated the election complied with all legal and constitutional requirements.
Family History in Florida
Jair Bolsonaro also fled to Florida after losing the 2022 election to Lula, returning three months later. The U.S. announced Monday it would grant visas to the longtime Trump ally and his family.
