Bolsonaro son claims presidency from abroad after Sunday election loss
The senator asserts the vote was rigged and calls his move to the United States a strategic exit rather than a flight.
By Lina Lewis ·
Senator Flavio Bolsonaro has declared himself the legitimate leader of Brazil while residing in the United States. He made the claim in his first public comments since departing the country following his defeat in Sunday's presidential race.
Addressing both domestic citizens and foreign observers, Bolsonaro stated, "I address the Brazilian people and the international community as the true elected president of Brazil." He credited U.S. President Donald Trump and the American public for their welcome. The senator alleged that the electoral process was manipulated, describing the events of Sunday night as a display of fraud unfolding in real time. Although he cited the vote count as the basis for his claim, no independent evidence was provided in his remarks.
Bolsonaro described his departure as a calculated response to a "politically motivated witch hunt." He said he anticipated the post-election consequences and chose to move his family to the U.S. to avoid what he termed the politicization of the Brazilian justice system. "I did not flee Brazil. I left for Brazil's sake," he said, arguing that he exited a state of exception to eventually lead the nation.
The senator appealed to foreign governments and institutions to resist normalizing the current political situation in Brazil. He affirmed his intention to direct the opposition from American soil, though he did not specify the mechanisms he would use to influence policy from outside the country.
His remarks follow his loss to the incumbent administration in the general election held on Sunday. The senator's declaration adds a new layer of complexity to the transition period, positioning him as a rival authority while he remains in exile in the United States.
