Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, declared himself the leader of Brazil after losing the presidential election to Lula. He arrived in Miami after fleeing Brazil, where he refused to comply with a Supreme Court order to surrender his passports. Bolsonaro thanked Trump and Milei for helping him make the journey and for welcoming him.
Bolsonaro arrived in Miami after leaving Brazil, where he refused to comply with a Supreme Court order to surrender his passports. He thanked Argentine leader Javier Milei for helping him make the journey and US President Donald Trump, who granted him and his family entry visas, for welcoming him. In an initial open letter posted on X, Bolsonaro declared himself 'the elected president.' He then deleted that version and updated it with another letter in which he said he was the rightful 'leader' of Brazil.
Bolsonaro's declaration poses a problem for Washington as it seeks to navigate a rift with Latin America's largest country, home to the world's second-largest reserves of rare earths. Lula has accused Washington of colluding with the Bolsonaro family to help return them to power. Ahead of Sunday's election, Reuters reported on a US State Department campaign to restore the Bolsonaros to office. Washington denies meddling in Brazil's domestic affairs.