Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro declared himself “true president-elect” on Wednesday in a lengthy statement, hours after arriving in the United States.
The defeated right-wing presidential candidate later deleted the post and reposted the statement on his X account, using the wording “leader of Brazil.”
Bolsonaro claimed there was widespread electoral fraud and alleged President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his government stole the election.
The politician questioned how Lula gained over 10 million votes between the first and second rounds, accusing the Supreme Court of interfering with the electoral process.
“I want to make it clear: I did not flee Brazil. I left for Brazil’s sake,” Bolsonaro wrote. “I left a state of exception so that I could be the leader my people deserve.”
The lawmaker added that he “committed no crime,” saying that what’s going on is “a politically motivated witch hunt” intended to hold him hostage.
Bolsonaro compares his exile to those of Charles de Gaulle, José Martí, and Venezuelan opposition leaders who continued fighting for their nations from outside.
“I am not the first person who has had to fight for his own country from abroad,” he noted. “I will lead the opposition from here.”
Bolsonaro thanked Argentine President Javier Milei for his courage and sense of justice, as well as President Donald Trump and the American people for welcoming his family.
The candidate called on Brazilian senators, governors, and parliament members to rise against political persecution and restore the balance of power.
Bolsonaro further urged the international community to pay attention to what he describes as the destruction of democracy and the rule of law in Brazil.