Brazil Summons Argentinian Diplomat Over Bolsonaro’s US Flight
Brazil called in Argentina’s charge d’affaires after Flavio Bolsonaro traveled from Brazil through Argentina to Miami following his election loss to Lula.
At a glance
- Brazil summoned Argentina’s charge d’affaires in Brasilia over Flavio Bolsonaro’s departure to the United States.
- Lula won Sunday’s election with 51.8 percent of the vote, defeating Bolsonaro by more than 4 million votes.
- Argentina’s foreign minister denied receiving a formal request for explanations about Bolsonaro’s entry into Argentina.
Brazil has summoned Argentina’s charge d’affaires in Brasilia over the departure of Flavio Bolsonaro, a right-wing senator and presidential candidate who left the country after losing Sunday’s election to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
What we know
Brazil’s Foreign Ministry called in Maria Emilia Cortes on Thursday, according to government sources cited by Reuters. The summons concerns Bolsonaro’s route from Brazil through northern Argentina to Miami, where he arrived on Wednesday aboard a chartered aircraft that passed through Ecuador.
Bolsonaro, a senator since 2019 and the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, ran for the Liberal Party. Lula won the race with 51.8 percent of the vote, beating Bolsonaro by more than 4 million votes. Bolsonaro has not conceded and alleged electoral malfeasance without evidence, citing a Supreme Court decision to extend voting hours.
Before the election, Bolsonaro was ordered to surrender his passports and stay in Brazil as part of a money-laundering investigation involving Banco Master. Prosecutors are examining a multimillion-dollar payment from Daniel Vorcaro, the bank’s former head, allegedly meant to fund a film about Jair Bolsonaro. Flavio Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing and calls the case politically motivated.
After arriving in Miami, he declared himself the “legitimate president-elect” of Brazil.
Where reports differ
Argentinian Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno said on social media that his government did not receive a formal request for explanations about Bolsonaro’s entry into Argentina late on Tuesday. That statement conflicts with Brazil’s decision to summon the Argentinian diplomat.
What is not known yet
The sources do not specify what explanations Brazil sought or whether Argentina assisted Bolsonaro’s travel. A spokesperson for Argentina’s president described the trip as a rescue but gave no details on the nature of any help.
What happens next
The dispute adds to strained relations between Lula and Argentinian President Javier Milei. The two governments have clashed since Milei took office in 2023, and each country recalled its ambassador in August after public disagreements. US President Donald Trump and Milei have been openly supportive of the Bolsonaro family, while Trump has suggested the election was “rigged” without taking sides after the result.
Sources: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- Why did Brazil summon an Argentinian diplomat?
- Brazil called in Argentina’s charge d’affaires to answer questions about Flavio Bolsonaro’s travel from Brazil through Argentina to the United States after the election.
- Who won Brazil’s presidential election?
- Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won with 51.8 percent of the vote, beating Flavio Bolsonaro by more than 4 million votes.
- Did Argentina confirm receiving a formal request from Brazil?
- No. Argentinian Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno said on social media that his government did not receive a formal request for explanations.
