Flávio Bolsonaro arrives in Miami with 60 million votes cast behind him
The Rio de Janeiro senator fled Brazil days after losing the presidential runoff to Lula, citing persecution, and now claims to lead the opposition from abroad.
By Bianca Herrera ·
Flávio Bolsonaro is in Miami.
The 45-year-old senator for Rio de Janeiro arrived in the United States days after suffering a defeat to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the Brazilian presidential runoff.
Bolsonaro claimed he received nearly 60 million votes in that race.
He has refused to concede the election.
In a letter sent on Wednesday, the senator declared himself the leader of Brazil.
He stated that he relocated to the U.S. because he is a victim of political and judicial persecution.
The senator did not provide evidence of electoral fraud in the letter.
His father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, appointed him as his political heir last December.
Jair Bolsonaro is currently serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup.
Carlos Melo, a political science professor at Insper University, said the departure weakens Flávio Bolsonaro.
Melo noted the difficulty of directing a political process from a distance.
He also cited the criticism Flávio Bolsonaro faces for fleeing after saying he would not run away from Brazil's right-wing base, which had united around his presidential bid, is likely to weaken him, Melo said. Luciana Santana, a political scientist at the Federal University of Alagoas, offered a different view. Santana said the right wing retains strong influence in Congress. She argued that the group in Congress still has the tools to block proposals and negotiate with the government. Santana said, “The group in Congress retains instruments to block proposals, negotiate with government and dispute the public agenda.” She added that Flávio Bolsonaro’s departure does not necessarily weaken the movement as a whole. Santana pointed to the nearly 60 million votes Flávio Bolsonaro received as evidence of the movement’s competitiveness in Brazil. She warned that international networks may use Bolsonaro’s flight as a symbol of alleged persecution. Santana said, “Bolsonaro’s escape can be used by international networks as a symbol of alleged persecution. This could mobilize those who most strongly identify with the movement.” Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Lula’s reelection was rigged. Trump did not provide evidence for that claim. When asked about Flávio Bolsonaro’s assertion that he was the rightful president-elect of Brazil, Trump said he would not comment. Trump said he has given Flávio Bolsonaro a pass to enter the country. Trump said, “I won’t get involved.” He then repeated his claim that the election was very strange. Oliver Stuenkel, a researcher at the Carnegie Endowment, said Bolsonaro’s presence in the U.S. adds a new layer of problems to the bilateral relationship. Stuenkel said the situation is unlikely to be decisive for Washington and Brasilia. He noted that two Bolsonaro brothers are now potentially lobbying the U.S. government on policies regarding Brazil. Stuenkel said, “Either Trump will pursue a pragmatic stance and basically recognize that U.S. pressure to elect Flávio failed (…) or there will continue to be continued friction.” Lula’s victory cements Brazil as the counterweight to Washington in the Western Hemisphere. Lula’s government has deepened trade ties with China and sought global influence through BRICS. Lula has championed Brazil’s tradition of nonalignment.
