Flavio Bolsonaro’s Exit from Brazil: Rubio Says US Had No Direct Role in Arrangements

Rubio Says US Had No Direct Role in Flavio Bolsonaro’s Departure from Brazil

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has clarified that the American government was not directly involved in arranging Flavio Bolsonaro’s departure from Brazil following his defeat in the presidential election. However, President Donald Trump has said that the Brazilian senator is welcome to remain in the United States for as long as he wishes.

Flavio Bolsonaro, who lost the presidential run-off election on Sunday, reached the US with his family on Wednesday. His departure came amid multiple investigations against him and a court order directing the seizure of his passports.

Speaking to reporters in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday, Rubio said Bolsonaro already possessed a valid visa and that Trump had personally approved his entry into the country.

“He had previously held a visa, and the president made a decision to allow him to enter the country,” Rubio said. He stressed that the US government had no direct involvement in the arrangements Bolsonaro made to leave Brazil.

The 45-year-old politician reportedly travelled through Argentina and Ecuador before reaching the United States. According to reports by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, the aircraft used for the journey was chartered by Jason Miller, an adviser to Trump.

The head of the airline told AFP that an intermediary had paid for the flight using an account held at a US bank. The White House has not issued any official comment on the aircraft’s arrangements. Trump, meanwhile, has criticised the Brazilian election, describing it as “disgraceful”.

Trump says Flavio Bolsonaro can stay in US indefinitely
Trump expressed sympathy for the Brazilian senator while speaking to reporters at his Florida residence on Saturday. Although he said he had no plans to meet Bolsonaro, he criticised the treatment he had received in Brazil.

“I think he got treated very shabbily. Very shabbily, so he can stay here as long as he wants,” Trump said.

His remarks came after Bolsonaro arrived in the United States with his family following his election defeat and amid legal proceedings in Brazil.

Argentina summoned over flight arrangements
The flight has also drawn attention to the role of Argentina in Bolsonaro’s journey. A Brazilian diplomatic source, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said Argentina’s diplomatic representative had been called for a routine meeting to provide explanations about the aircraft’s movement.

However, Argentina’s foreign minister subsequently denied that Brazil had asked Buenos Aires to explain its involvement in the operation.

Bolsonaro claims he is Brazil’s legitimate leader
Since reaching the United States, Flavio Bolsonaro has claimed that he is the country’s true leader. He has also alleged that he was forced to leave Brazil because of what he described as political “persecution”.

His departure comes against the backdrop of legal action involving his father, former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. The former president is serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest after being convicted of plotting a coup following his defeat in the 2022 re-election contest.