Flavio Bolsonaro vows to direct Brazil opposition from US after election defeat

Flavio Bolsonaro said on Wednesday, October 28, that he would direct Brazil’s opposition from the United States after arriving in Florida with his family. The senator made the announcement after losing the October 25 presidential election to incumbent Lula da Silva.

Bolsonaro disputed the result and portrayed himself as the legitimate winner. His statement did not establish evidence of election fraud, according to reports, while the Liberal Party that supported his candidacy had already acknowledged the official outcome.

The reported margin of Lula’s victory exceeded four million votes. Bolsonaro has challenged a Supreme Court decision allowing voting to continue for an additional two hours after Lula’s campaign raised transport difficulties affecting access to polling stations.

Departure follows passport surrender order

After the result, Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered the senator to hand over his passports in connection with an alleged money laundering investigation. Reports said he and his family subsequently left Brazil and reached Opa-Locka Executive Airport near Miami on Wednesday morning.

Flavio Bolsonaro denied wrongdoing and said he had left because of political persecution. He also rejected descriptions of his departure as fleeing and maintained that moving abroad would allow him to continue his political work.

US President Donald Trump declined to endorse the senator’s assertion that he had won. Trump said he would not involve himself in the election outcome, although he described the contest as unusual and confirmed that Bolsonaro had been allowed into the country.

Lula criticised his opponent’s departure, arguing that he could have stayed in Brazil to contest the accusations. Bolsonaro, meanwhile, said he would present plans for peaceful political mobilisation and proposed Senator Rogério Marinho for the Senate presidency.

The dispute continues despite the Liberal Party’s recognition of the result announced by Brazil’s electoral authorities. The party has said concerns raised by the campaign should be pursued through democratic political debate.

Also read: Bolsonaro leadership claim revised after arrival in US, party rejects fraud allegation | Lula election victory confirmed as Bolsonaro challenges result