Marco Rubio denied direct US government involvement in arrangements for Flávio Bolsonaro to leave Brazil, saying Donald Trump had authorized temporary entry if he reached an American port. The October 31 statement followed Bolsonaro’s election defeat and arrival in Miami. Rubio also confirmed speaking with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira in Atlanta.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on October 31 that the American government had not directly participated in the arrangements for Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro to leave Brazil. Speaking at the close of the G20 foreign ministers’ gathering in Atlanta, he said Bolsonaro had previously held a US visa. President Donald Trump had authorized temporary entry if the senator reached an American port of entry, according to Rubio.[1], [2]
Bolsonaro had lost Brazil’s presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva before travelling with his wife and two daughters through Argentina and Ecuador to Miami. The New York Times, citing its sources, alleged that Trump adviser Jason Miller arranged the private aircraft. Rubio’s statement denied direct government participation in departure arrangements; the allegation about Miller remained attributed to the newspaper.[1]
The journey heightened tensions between Washington and Lula’s government. Rubio confirmed he had spoken in Atlanta with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, their first encounter since Bolsonaro’s arrival. He said they would probably meet again at November’s G7 foreign ministers’ gathering in France. Bolsonaro was also facing a corruption investigation in Brazil.[1]
