US Denies Facilitating Bolsonaro's Escape to America, Cites Existing Visa

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. government played no part in facilitating the departure of Brazil's former presidential candidate, Flavio Bolsonaro, to the United States following his electoral defeat. Bolsonaro arrived in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday, a day after the U.S. Department of State confirmed that he and his family would be granted U.S. visas after his loss in the October 25 election to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. This election outcome contrasted with a broader trend of conservative victories across Latin America.

Bolsonaro is currently facing investigations in Brazil concerning allegations of corruption, money laundering, and tax evasion. Prior to his departure, his passport was ordered to be surrendered due to concerns from the police that he might be a flight risk.

"We didn’t facilitate anything," Rubio informed reporters on Saturday in Atlanta, Georgia, during a gathering of diplomats from the Group of 20 major economies. "We had word that he had arrived in the United States. He had previously held a visa, and the president made a decision to allow him to enter the country," Rubio added, emphasizing that the U.S. government was not "involved directly in any of the moves that were made." Rubio also mentioned meeting with Brazil’s foreign minister, Mauro Vieira, in Atlanta on Friday and Saturday, and anticipated further encounters with Brazilian officials in November in France during a foreign ministers' meeting.

In a separate statement, former President Donald Trump, who had previously described Brazil's election as "rigged," expressed sympathy for Bolsonaro, suggesting he could remain in the U.S. indefinitely. "I think he got treated very shabbily, very shabbily, so he can stay here as long as he wants," Trump told reporters at his Florida residence on Saturday.

Reuters reported that Bolsonaro was admitted to the U.S. under humanitarian parole, a status generally valid for one year. Trump's remarks indicate that relations between the two largest democracies in the Western Hemisphere might continue to be strained. Following his election loss, Bolsonaro left Brazil, traveling through Argentina and Ecuador to reach the U.S. Some U.S. media outlets suggested that Jason Miller, a White House official, was involved in arranging parts of this journey.

Bolsonaro has not conceded the Brazilian election results and has alleged fraud without presenting evidence. Since his arrival in the U.S., he has asserted his claim as the true "leader" of Brazil and stated that he left the country due to facing "persecution."