Former conservative presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro has stated that he fled Brazil to the United States due to alleged persecution in his home country. In a video posted on Instagram, Bolsonaro claimed that the persecution began after he lost the presidential election runoff to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. He secretly left Brazil on Tuesday and arrived in Florida on Wednesday, traveling through Argentina and Ecuador.
Bolsonaro's departure from Brazil came after his passports were canceled as part of a money laundering investigation. He recounted that police informed him on Monday that his passports were being revoked as he left a visit to his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest. Bolsonaro said that his father had hinted at the impending cancellation, telling him, "You know where they're going with this, don't you?"
In the video, Bolsonaro urged people not to "point the finger at anyone" and claimed that he and his wife made the decision to leave "without anyone knowing." He also alleged that Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes had made false accusations against him. Bolsonaro suggested that there had been irregularities in the runoff election, comparing them to "handball goals" that were not disallowed by VAR.
US President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei are under pressure to explain their involvement in Bolsonaro's escape. Milei had backed Bolsonaro in the presidential election and has yet to acknowledge Lula's win. Brazil's government has summoned Argentina's representative to provide explanations on Bolsonaro's journey, which included a stop in Argentina.
The incident has strained relations between Brazil and Argentina, which have had a rocky relationship under Milei and Lula. In July, Brazil recalled its ambassador to Argentina after Milei insulted Brazilian officials. Argentina also recalled its ambassador to Brazil, and the interests in both countries are now represented by lower diplomatic ranks.
Bolsonaro, who is under investigation in Brazil for corruption and money laundering, refused to concede the election and has called it fraudulent without providing evidence. His father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, also refused to acknowledge his 2022 loss to Lula and is serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup.
Flavio Bolsonaro has predicted that the economy will "go bust" under Lula and expressed willingness to run for president again before 2030. Milei's administration has stated that they "rescued" Bolsonaro "from the claws of communism, which seeks to imprison all opposition figures."
Key points
- Flavio Bolsonaro claims he fled Brazil due to persecution after losing presidential election to Lula.
- Bolsonaro's departure follows cancellation of his passports amid money laundering investigation.
- Incident strains relations between Brazil and Argentina, which have had a rocky relationship under Milei and Lula.
