Flavio Bolsonaro declares himself “leader of Brazil” from Miami after losing to Lula

Brazil’s defeated right-wing presidential candidate, Flavio Bolsonaro, has described himself as the “leader of Brazil” after flying to the United States, Sky News reports.

The 45-year-old senator landed in Miami on Wednesday morning aboard a private jet and thanked US President Donald Trump and “the wonderful American people for welcoming me”. He claimed his victory was denied through an electoral coup by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, but gave no evidence of fraud.

“Faced with the politicisation of the justice system in Brazil, I brought my family to the United States, where we are safe,” he said. He insisted he did not flee and would “lead the opposition from here”.

Lula, 81, won a historic fourth term with 51.79% of the vote to Bolsonaro’s 48.21%. Global leaders, international observers and Bolsonaro’s own party have recognised the result.

Brazil’s Supreme Court had ordered Bolsonaro to surrender his passports as part of a money laundering probe, which he denies. Trump said Monday the results “looked like another rigged election” without providing evidence.