Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who fled to the United States after losing the presidential runoff to incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has claimed that he is the "true president of Brazil", before swiftly deleting the statement from social media.
In an initial declaration published on his X account, the conservative lawmaker alleged widespread electoral fraud and lashed out at the certification of the results.
"I am the elected president, and the criminals who stole Brazil's election are part of a criminal organisation that has established a tyranny," Bolsonaro said in the post, adding: "I will lead the opposition from here."
Retraction and altered phrasing
Shortly after the announcement appeared online, Bolsonaro deleted the letter calling himself "president-elect" from his social media channels.
He subsequently altered the wording of the statement, changing the description to designate himself instead as the "leader of Brazil".
The political controversy deepened as US President Donald Trump stated that he "won't get involved" following Bolsonaro's assertions.
Trump, who had previously criticised the conduct of the vote whilst maintaining he did not take sides in the contest, made clear that Washington will not step in on behalf of the defeated candidate.
