Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro declares himself president-elect from US after election loss
Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro declared himself "president-elect" in a letter released Wednesday after leaving the country, contesting his electoral defeat to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva without providing evidence of fraud. Bolsonaro, who lost the October 25 runoff, announced he will lead the opposition from the United States, criticizing the Supreme Court and electoral process. He arrived in Miami after traveling through Argentina and Ecuador, following a court order to surrender his passports amid a money laundering investigation. The senator thanked former President Donald Trump for welcoming his family and claimed he left Brazil to escape political persecution. He endorsed Senator Rogerio Marinho for Senate presidency and pledged regular communications with supporters, without detailing his return plans or asylum intentions.