Lula wins fourth term as Flávio Bolsonaro challenges result from Miami

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won Brazil's presidential runoff on Sunday, October 25, securing a fourth term. His defeated rival, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, refused to concede and called for the election to be annulled, according to the BBC.

The dispute soon became entangled with Bolsonaro's departure from Brazil. The New York Times reported that he fled after police cancelled his passport in connection with an investigation. ARD Tagesschau reported that he was subject to a travel ban and was being investigated over allegations including corruption.

On Monday, October 26, the United States said it would grant visas to Bolsonaro, according to NDTV. That same day, Bolsonaro was still saying he would not leave Brazil, HVG reported.

By Tuesday, October 27, Lula said he had learned that his rival had left the country. He called the departure shameful and said Bolsonaro should have stayed, according to The Globe and Mail.

Early reporting on Wednesday, October 28, left Bolsonaro's location uncertain. The BBC reported that Argentina said he had flown to Ecuador. Subsequent reporting established that he travelled through Argentina and Ecuador before reaching Miami, a route reconstructed by BBC World.

Bolsonaro and his family arrived in Miami on Wednesday, CBC News reported. France24 said they arrived by private plane after he defied a court order to surrender his passport.

From the United States, Bolsonaro declared himself Brazil's rightful president elect, according to Reuters. He also alleged electoral fraud, News18 reported. Those were his claims, not findings established by the supplied coverage.

Later on Wednesday, he changed the wording. InfoMoney reported that a revised letter replaced his declaration that he was president elect with a description of himself as Brazil's leader. Infobae reported that he removed two phrases presenting himself as president elect.

Lula is the declared winner. Bolsonaro is in the United States, still contesting the result and intending to lead opposition from there, according to nu.nl. The change in his letter softened his claimed title, but did not amount to a concession.

US President Donald Trump supported Bolsonaro's entry into the country, DIE WELT reported. Separately, Adnkronos reported that Trump said he would not interfere. Support for Bolsonaro's arrival should not be confused with recognition of his claim to have won.

The immediate open questions concern Bolsonaro's legal position after leaving despite travel restrictions, and how he will pursue his challenge from abroad. The supplied coverage does not establish what action Brazilian authorities will take next or identify a scheduled decision on his demand to annul the election.