Politics · Brazil · 2 hrs ago
Flávio Bolsonaro declares himself president after leaving Brazil
Flávio Bolsonaro declared himself president after leaving Brazil, according to headlines published on Wednesday.
He is a former presidential candidate who was defeated at the ballot box, according to one headline.
Some of his supporters had urged him to claim the presidency and form a government in exile from outside Brazil.
They would treat President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government as illegitimate.
Other allies called the idea impossible and said Flávio was not willing to pursue it.
The situation could echo Juan Guaidó’s 2019 claim to Venezuela’s presidency; Guaidó has lived in exile in the United States since 2023.
The available reports do not say what Flávio plans to do next.
Reports on 28 October 2026 said Flávio Bolsonaro had declared himself president after leaving Brazil.
O GLOBO reported that he had lost the election, cancelled a press conference and proclaimed himself president.
UOL Notícias described him as calling himself the “president-elect” and thanking Javier Milei and Donald Trump.
SBT News reported that the idea of setting up a parallel government abroad divided Bolsonaro’s allies.
Some supporters backed a government in exile, while others said the idea was impossible because Bolsonaro was not willing to pursue it.
- Who
- Flávio Bolsonaro, a former presidential candidate.
- What
- Reports said he declared himself president after leaving Brazil; UOL Notícias described him as calling himself the “president-elect.
- When
- The reports were published on 28 October 2026. The exact time of the declaration is not stated.
- Where
- After leaving Brazil; the sources do not state where he was.
- Why
- Some supporters said he should treat the Lula government as illegitimate. The sources do not state Bolsonaro’s own reason.
Supporters of a government in exile
Allies who said the idea was impossible
Proposal
Supporters of a government in exile
They argued Bolsonaro should declare himself president and form a presidential cabinet in exile.
Allies who said the idea was impossible
They told SBT News the idea was impossible because Bolsonaro was not willing to pursue it.
View of Lula government
Supporters of a government in exile
They would treat it as illegitimate.
Allies who said the idea was impossible
Not stated.
Reports said Bolsonaro declared himself president; the sources do not specify when he left.
SBT News reported that his allies were divided over creating a government in exile.
- Reported declaration
- Flávio Bolsonaro called himself president, according to O GLOBO
- Election result
- O GLOBO described Bolsonaro as defeated at the polls
- Press conference
- O GLOBO reported he cancelled it
- UOL description
- President-elect
- Allies’ proposal
- A government in exile outside Brazil
3 sources
What people are saying
parallel government
impossible