Flavio Bolsonaro Calls Himself Elected President From Miami
The senator arrived in the US via Argentina and Ecuador after refusing to surrender his passports to Brazilian authorities.
By David Almasi ·
Flavio Bolsonaro arrived in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday morning and immediately declared himself the legitimate president-elect of Brazil. The right-wing senator landed at the Miami-Opa Locka airport after a multi-leg flight that included stops in Argentina and Ecuador. He stated that he left his home country to serve as the leader his supporters deserve.
The senator’s departure became public late Tuesday after he refused to concede the presidential election held Sunday. He pledged to challenge the results, alleging an electoral coup orchestrated by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the Brazilian Supreme Court. Bolsonaro said he would lead the opposition from United States soil.
In an open letter shared with journalists, Bolsonaro addressed his base of 60 million voters. He described the group that managed the election as a criminal organization that established a tyranny. He did not present specific evidence to support his claims of fraud. International observers who monitored the voting process on Sunday determined the election was fair.
The senator’s exit followed a legal dispute over his travel documents. The Brazilian Supreme Court ordered him to surrender his passports as part of a money-laundering investigation. Bolsonaro denied wrongdoing in that case. He also held Italian citizenship, which allowed him to travel after his Brazilian and diplomatic passports were canceled, according to the AFP news agency.
The US State Department granted visas to Bolsonaro and his family. The senator, his wife, and two daughters disembarked from a Gulfstream G400 private jet upon arrival in Florida. Their route began with a flight into Argentina late Tuesday, followed by a transfer to Guayaquil, Ecuador, before the final leg to Miami.
Bolsonaro’s move contrasts with his statements made just days prior. On Monday, he posted on Instagram that he had no intention of leaving Brazil. He said he would hand over his passports and defend himself against what he called an attempt to intimidate him. His immunity from prosecution ends in February when his term in the Senate concludes.
The arrival in Florida echoes the path taken by his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, after the 2022 election. Jair Bolsonaro is currently jailed in Brazil on charges of leading a conspiracy to remain in power after that defeat. The son’s presence in the US adds another layer to the complex political relationship between the two nations.
Tensions between the US and Brazil have already risen during the recent campaign. President Lula accused the Trump administration of working with the Bolsonaro family to help them return to power. After the results were counted, Trump questioned the integrity of the vote. He specifically criticized the extension of voting hours, calling it a very bad look.
