Brazil’s defeated presidential candidate, Flavio Bolsonaro, said on Oct 30 that he fled to the United States, alleging persecution, as Brazil summoned Argentina’s chargé d’affaires over his transit through Argentina.
In an Instagram livestream, Flavio Bolsonaro said he left Brazil for the United States because he was a victim of "persecution," according to the Straits Times.
The Straits Times reported that he secretly left Brazil on Oct 27, arrived in Florida aboard a private jet on Oct 28, and travelled through Argentina and Ecuador. He gave no details of how he left the country.
He said his Brazilian passports were cancelled as part of a money laundering investigation, and that police told him of this on Oct 26. These claims are unverified, and the sources provide no evidence for them.
Flavio Bolsonaro lost the Oct 25 presidential runoff to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. He has refused to concede and called the elections fraudulent without providing evidence, according to France 24.
Brazil’s foreign ministry asked for explanations and summoned Argentina’s chargé d’affaires, María Emilia Cortés, according to a diplomatic source who requested anonymity, France 24 reported. No official Brazilian or Argentine statement has been cited.
Milei backed Bolsonaro in the election and has not acknowledged Lula’s win. He has not commented directly on Bolsonaro’s journey. His spokesperson, Juan Pablo Carreira, said on social media that the administration rescued Bolsonaro "from the claws of communism," according to France 24.
Relations between Brazil and Argentina worsened in July, when Brazil recalled its ambassador after Milei insulted Brazilian officials in Sao Paulo. Argentina also recalled its ambassador, and both countries are now represented by chargés d’affaires.
Jair Bolsonaro, the former president, is under house arrest and serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup, according to France 24. Flavio Bolsonaro is under investigation over alleged corruption and money laundering.
There are reports that Trump and Milei are under pressure to explain their countries’ involvement in Bolsonaro’s departure. The reported US involvement is unconfirmed, and there has been no response from Trump or the US government.
Flavio Bolsonaro said he is willing to run for president again, before 2030.
Most key facts rely on the Straits Times and France 24. Al Jazeera was available only as a headline and short excerpt, so its reporting could not be checked in full.
Sources
This article was written with AI assistance from the published reporting listed above. It is part of the World Brief daily news podcast.