Flávio Bolsonaro proclaimed himself the “true president of Brazil” after arriving in the US

Brazilian far-right Senator Flávio Bolsonaro fled to the United States and proclaimed himself the “leader of Brazil,” a few days after losing the presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro arrived in Miami on Wednesday morning, together with his family, after crossing the land border between Brazil and Argentina and making a stopover in Ecuador.

Shortly after landing, the senator published a letter in which he presented himself as the “true president of Brazil,” although the election result had been recognized by Brazilian institutions and by his own party. Following critical reactions, he deleted the message and returned with a less unequivocal formulation, calling himself the “leader of Brazil.”

Brazilian media described the statements as a challenge to the democratic order and an attempt to fuel a coup-mongering narrative. Bolsonaro reiterated unsubstantiated allegations of electoral fraud, rejected by the Electoral Court and the Supreme Court.

According to the press, the route through Argentina and Ecuador may have been chosen to avoid Brazilian airspace. In Miami, the senator was seen wearing a bulletproof vest and left the airport under escort. He thanked Javier Milei and Donald Trump for their support.

His departure sparked criticism of the Brazilian authorities, as Bolsonaro is the subject of several criminal investigations, including one concerning an alleged money-laundering scheme linked to betting companies.