Flavio Bolsonaro leaves Brazil, alleging 'persecution'

· Politics · Brazil · United States

Flavio Bolsonaro, who lost Sunday's runoff to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, posted a video message on social media saying he had fled to the US because he was a victim of "persecution". He gave no details of how he left the country and suggested there had been irregularities in the runoff without specifying what they were. He left via Argentina and Ecuador and landed in Florida on Oct 28, according to the Straits Times. The move has put pressure on US President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei to explain his flight, and Flávio Bolsonaro has said he may run again for the presidency.

Why it matters：The flight of a defeated presidential candidate abroad and his refusal to accept the result tests Brazil's democratic institutions and entangles Washington and Buenos Aires in a regional political dispute.

Key points

  • Flavio Bolsonaro lost Sunday's runoff to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
  • He travelled via Argentina and Ecuador and arrived in Florida on Oct 28.
  • He suggested irregularities in the vote without giving details.

Sources (original reporting)

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