Flavio Bolsonaro Defies Brazilian SC, Flees Country After Presidential Elections; Lula Reacts

Flavio Bolsonaro, following a defeat in the Brazilian presidential polls, reportedly fled to the United States despite being asked to not leave the country by the Supreme Court. While the exact details are still unknown, the 45-year-old leader has already landed in the US, reported CNN and the Washington Post, citing credible sources. Earlier on Tuesday, the US State Department clarified that it would issue visas to Bolsonaro and his family.

The rumours of him exiting the country following a shocking defeat spread on Tuesday after he missed the deadline to submit his passport to the authorities. Bolsonaro held no public meetings and was not seen by the party leaders since Monday. The court had directed him to not exit due to the ongoing probe against him in the corruption and money laundering charges.

Lula Da Silva Reacts

While reacting to such reports, Brazilian President Lula Da Silva criticised the act, further calling it "shameful". "This is what the family Bolsonaro are like. Brazil is their second homeland. Their first homeland is licking the boots of the US, as he’s become accustomed to doing," Silva, who celebrated his 81st birthday, stated.

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"I keep imagining what's on the conscience of a citizen who just lost the elections and flees his country…He who owes nothing, fears nothing. A citizen who sneaks out of his country owes something. The act of leaving Brazil is shameful," he added.

Jair Bolsonaro Under Arrest

Bolsonaro led an aggressive campaign this time, focusing on democratic rights, immigration, and house arrest of his father, Jair Bolsonaro, former president. While he took a solid lead in the initial phases, Silva managed to make a comeback in the office.

Earlier in 2022, Bolsonaro was defeated by Silva; however, he refused to concede defeat, leading to chaos. He fled the country and came back around three months later; since then, he has been kept under house arrest. The Bolsonaro family is said to be close to Donald Trump, the US President, and the family members have been issued visas by the US administration following their defeat.

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