Trump Administration Rejects Flavio Bolsonaro's Leadership Claim After Granting Him US Entry
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Oct 30
Trump Administration Rejects Flavio Bolsonaro's Leadership Claim After Granting Him US Entry
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Oct 30
Summary
US officials said the Trump administration has no current plan to support Flavio Bolsonaro's claim that he is Brazil's rightful leader, even after admitting him to the United States.
Trump's stance appears aimed at avoiding another rupture with Brasilia; he has called Sunday's election "rigged" but has also said he gets along well with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who won by 3.5 points.
Flavio Bolsonaro fled after a Brazilian Supreme Court justice ordered him to surrender his passport amid a money-laundering probe, crossing into Argentina late Tuesday before flying to Miami via Ecuador.
Jason Miller helped arrange the charter flight, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio recommended Bolsonaro's admission; US authorities ultimately granted him and his family humanitarian parole.
The episode adds to already volatile US-Brazil ties, but Bolsonaro's self-exile may weaken Brazil's conservative opposition and reduce pressure on Lula at home.