‘Lost a battle but not the war’: Bolsonaro leaves Brazil forward of Lula’s inauguration

Outgoing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has left the nation for the United States, avoiding the inauguration of incoming President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Brasilia,UPDATED: Dec 31, 2022 07:32 IST

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro attends an inauguration ceremony for brand spanking new judges of Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice in Brasilia, Brazil December 6, 2022. (Photo: Reuters File)

By Reuters: President Jair Bolsonaro left Brazil for the United States on Friday, 48 hours earlier than his leftist rival President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was set to take workplace, saying in a teary goodbye speech he had “lost a battle but not the war.”

Bolsonaro, who has barely spoken since shedding the election, has not confirmed the place he’s going, however aircraft monitoring information suggests he’s heading to Florida, the place his safety workers are already in place.

He has repeatedly mentioned he wouldn’t hand over the presidential sash to Lula at Sunday’s inauguration, breaking with Brazil’s democratic custom.

READ: ‘Signs of irreparable malfunction’: Bolsonaro challenges Brazil election, seeks invalidation of votes

He might also face authorized dangers from remaining in Brazil as his presidential immunity expires when Lula takes workplace.

Vice President Hamilton Mourao is now performing president, his press workplace advised Reuters, confirming Bolsonaro had left the nation. But Mourao is not going to cross the presidential sash to Lula both, a spokesperson mentioned, elevating questions on who will hand over the ceremonial ribbon to the leftist.

Website FlightAware, which displays air visitors, confirmed the presidential aircraft departed Brasilia shortly after 2pm native time, sure for Orlando, Florida.

“I am in flight, back soon,” Bolsonaro was quoted as saying by CNN Brasil. His press workplace didn’t reply to a request for remark.

READ: Lula wins Brazil’s presidential election, edges out incumbent Bolsonaro in tight contest

The US State Department didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark. The US embassy in Brasilia referred questions on Bolsonaro’s journey to the Brazilian president’s workplace.

FINAL WORDS

Before takeoff, Bolsonaro delivered an emotional last deal with on social media by which he ran by way of the highlights of his time in workplace, sought to defend his legacy, and tried to encourage his followers into maintaining the battle in opposition to Lula.

Some of his base have refused to simply accept Lula’s victory, believing Bolsonaro’s baseless claims that the October election was stolen. That has contributed to a tense environment within the capital Brasilia, with riots and a foiled bomb plot final week.

READ: Brazil election physique rejects Bolsonaro’s demand to invalidate votes, fines $4.3 million

Bolsonaro labeled the bomb plot a “terrorist act” for which there was no justification. He sought to distance himself from George Washington Sousa, the person who confessed to creating the bomb, and who advised police that Bolsonaro’s name to arms impressed him to construct an arsenal of weapons and explosives.

“The man had ideas that are not shared by any citizen, but now they classify him as a ‘Bolsonarista’,” the president mentioned.

However, Bolsonaro additionally praised protesters who’ve been tenting exterior military barracks throughout the nation, urging the army to stage a coup.

“I did not encourage anyone to enter confrontation,” he mentioned, including that his supporters had merely been searching for “freedom.” He mentioned the protests had been “spontaneous,” with no management or coordination.

READ: ‘Hurts my soul’: Brazil’s Bolsonaro as his supporters search army coup in opposition to Lula

Bolsonaro’s swift exit is a disappointment for a lot of on the correct, the place his status has taken a beating for his post-election silence. His political associates need him to steer the conservative opposition to Lula with a view to ousting him within the subsequent election in 2026.

Some of his diehard supporters on the entrance of the Alvorada Palace, the presidential residence the place he lived, referred to as him a “coward” throughout his speech, in accordance with a Reuters witness.

Others felt deserted by his departure.

“It feels as if my boyfriend has left me,” mentioned Deise Casela, a 57-year-old widow, touching the Brazilian flag that was lowered after Bolsonaro left the residence. “I am mourning again.”

Published On:

Dec 31, 2022