Flavio Bolsonaro says he left Brazil because he is the victim of 'persecution'

Brazil summoned Argentina's representative after defeated presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro fled to the United States via Argentina. This incident highlights the strained relations between Brazil and Argentina, two of South America's most powerful nations. Brazil's foreign ministry requested explanations from Argentina on Thursday, following Bolsonaro's passage through their country on his way to Miami.

Argentine President Javier Milei supported Bolsonaro in the presidential election, which Lula da Silva won on Sunday, and has yet to acknowledge his victory. Milei differentiated himself from other Trump allies in the region who quickly congratulated Lula. Bolsonaro, who is under investigation in Brazil for corruption and money laundering allegations, refused to concede and claimed the election was fraudulent without providing evidence.

His father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, also refused to accept his 2022 loss to Lula and is serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup. The relationship between Argentina and Brazil has deteriorated since July when Brazil recalled its ambassador to Argentina following a controversial comment by Milei during a visit to Sao Paulo.

Both countries' interests are now represented by chargés d'affaires, lower diplomatic ranks. Brazil's top diplomat, João Marcelo, summoned Argentina's chargé d'affaires María Emilia Cortés for a brief meeting. Milei's administration has not commented on Bolsonaro's journey, but spokesperson Juan Pablo Carreira claimed the Brazilian government saved Bolsonaro from the "claws of communism."

US President Donald Trump referred to Brazil's election as "rigged" without directly calling Bolsonaro the president-elect. Instead, he offered Bolsonaro a "pass" to enter the United States. Bolsonaro thanked Milei and Trump upon his arrival in the US, praising their "courage, sense of justice and legality." Bolsonaro, 45, is currently under investigation in Brazil for corruption and money laundering.