Flavio Bolsonaro, a former presidential candidate in Brazil, has said that he left the country and travelled to the United States because he believes he is facing political persecution. His departure came shortly after he lost the October 25 runoff election to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
According to reports, Bolsonaro secretly left Brazil on October 27 and arrived in Florida on October 28. His journey reportedly included stops in Argentina and Ecuador. However, he has not shared the exact details of how he managed to leave the country.
Speaking during an Instagram live session, Bolsonaro explained that his decision to leave Brazil came after authorities cancelled his Brazilian passports as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation. He said he learned about the passport cancellation while visiting his father, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest.
Bolsonaro described the meeting with his father as an emotional experience. He said their conversation and the difficult situation surrounding his family influenced his decision to leave Brazil. He also revealed that he and his wife made the decision privately without informing others.
He refused to explain the exact route or method he used to leave the country and asked people not to make assumptions about his departure. His journey has also raised questions about the possible involvement of other countries. Leaders in the United States and Argentina are facing calls to explain whether their governments played any role in helping him leave Brazil.
Bolsonaro also criticised Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, accusing him of making false statements against him. In addition, he raised questions about the October 25 election results and suggested that there were problems in the voting process. He compared the alleged irregularities to handball matches where goals are allowed despite possible rule violations.
He further warned that Brazil could face serious economic problems under President Lula’s leadership. Despite his recent election defeat and departure from the country, Bolsonaro hinted that he could return to politics and contest another election before 2030.
His statements have added to the political debate in Brazil, with questions continuing over his departure, the ongoing investigation and his future role in the country’s politics.