Brazil questions Argentinian official over Bolsonaro’s departure

On Thursday, Brazil’s Foreign Ministry summoned Maria Emilia Cortes, Argentina’s charge d’affaires, according to government sources.

Argentina’s Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno has publicly denied receiving a formal request for clarification regarding Bolsonaro’s journey, which began late Tuesday.

Bolsonaro’s flight has the potential to further complicate the relationship between Brazil’s re-elected President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Argentina’s President Javier Milei.

Following the election, Bolsonaro was instructed to surrender his passports and remain in Brazil as part of an ongoing legal investigation into a money-laundering scheme, the Banco Master scandal. This investigation concerns a multimillion-dollar payment Bolsonaro allegedly received from Daniel Vorcaro, former head of Banco Master, purportedly to finance a film about his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro has denied any wrongdoing, characterizing the case as politically motivated.

Bolsonaro, a senator since 2019, ran for president this year representing his father’s political movement, the Liberal Party. He lost to Lula, who secured 51.8% of the vote in Sunday’s election.

Bolsonaro has not formally conceded the election and has made unsubstantiated claims of electoral fraud, specifically citing a Supreme Court decision to extend voting hours.

Upon arriving in Miami on Wednesday, Bolsonaro declared himself the “legitimate president-elect.” He, his wife, and two daughters traveled from Brazil through Argentina before flying to the US via Ecuador.

Bolsonaro thanked Milei for assistance, though details remain unclear. An Argentinian spokesperson described the journey as a rescue, stating Bolsonaro had escaped “from the claws of communism.” Former US President Donald Trump has also suggested the election was “rigged,” while declining to endorse either candidate.

This diplomatic incident follows a previous recall of ambassadors in August due to public disagreements, signaling a continued strain in relations between Brazil and Argentina.