Flávio Bolsonaro declares himself “leader of Brazil” from Florida after election defeat
The losing presidential candidate posted a self‑styled “leader of Brazil” letter on X after fleeing to the United States.
Flávio Bolsonaro arrived in Florida on Wednesday after departing Brazil the day before.
In a letter posted to his X account, the defeated presidential candidate addressed “the Brazilian people and the international community as the leader of Brazil.”
He had earlier posted a version that called himself “the rightful president of Brazil,” which he later deleted.
Bolsonaro, who lost the runoff to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva by 4.4 million votes, has not conceded defeat and alleges, without providing evidence, that an “electoral fraud” occurred.
The fraud claim centers on an extension of polling hours on Sunday, which Bolsonaro first mentioned on election night. The extension was requested by both campaigns, and Brazil’s electoral authority confirmed the vote proceeded “normally and in full accordance with the country’s laws and constitution.”
An analysis by BBC Brazil and BBC Verify found that roughly 34,000 people voted during the extended period—far fewer than the 4.4 million‑vote margin separating Lula and Bolsonaro.
Bolsonaro also explained his sudden disappearance for more than 24 hours, noting he crossed into Argentina, refuelled in Ecuador, and then flew to Florida.
His exit came after he refused to hand over his passports to police, defying a Supreme Court order linked to an investigation into alleged money laundering. President Lula called the act “a shameful act.”
While Bolsonaro vows to lead the opposition from the United States, his allegations remain unsubstantiated and his legal challenges continue.
