Flávio Bolsonaro Claims to Be Brazil’s ‘True President’ After Fleeing to Miami
Following his defeat in Brazil's presidential election, far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro has landed in Miami, Florida, and publicly declared himself the country's "true president." Traveling with his wife and two daughters on a private jet, Bolsonaro arrived in the United States after a circuitous escape route that involved crossing from Brazil into Argentina before flying through Ecuador.
Bolsonaro's departure came just days after he lost Sunday's election to incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Ahead of his exit, Bolsonaro failed to comply with a Brazilian Supreme Court order to surrender his passports, leading authorities to cancel them. Despite his claims, his own political party, Brazilian institutions, and international election observers have all formally recognized Lula da Silva's legitimate victory.
The US State Department confirmed it would issue visas to Bolsonaro and his family following their arrival in Florida. Alongside the fallout from his electoral defeat, Bolsonaro remains the subject of ongoing investigations in Brazil concerning allegations of corruption and money laundering, which he denies.
