Flávio Bolsonaro launches presidential bid with backing from Argentina's Milei

Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro officially launched his presidential campaign on Saturday, standing alongside Argentine President Javier Milei. Flávio, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, pledged to "rescue" Brazil, guided by his father's legacy. The event, held at the Pacaembu football stadium in São Paulo, saw supporters clad in green and yellow.

"I assume today before God and all of you the mission to be the candidate of Brazil's future," declared the 45-year-old senator, surrounded by political allies aligned with his father's platform. Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently serving a prison sentence for plotting a coup and is under house arrest, was a central figure, with chants of "Bolsonaro, return!" echoing through the venue. Jair had handpicked Flávio as his political successor, and Flávio, currently second in the polls, was the first to publicly embrace his father's legacy.

Flávio Bolsonaro, a lawyer by profession, received strong backing from Javier Milei. The Argentine president delivered a lengthy speech that garnered significant attention, even surpassing the candidate's own address. Milei launched a fierce attack on Brazil's current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, referring to him as a "prisoner" and a "thief" and accusing him of squandering Brazil's resources. Milei expressed his confidence that his presence would help "tip the scales in favor of good."

Milei drew parallels between Lula's administration and "Kirchnerism" in Argentina, positioning Flávio Bolsonaro as the sole contender capable of defeating Lula. "We trust you, Flávio, to stop the socialist garbage!" he exclaimed, adding, "Today socialism is being eradicated in Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and we hope it will be in Brazil in October." Milei also controversially referred to Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes as "bald garbage."

The launch event also featured speeches from leaders of the Liberal Party (PL) and videos from Flávio's siblings, including Eduardo Bolsonaro, who is reportedly living in self-imposed exile in the United States.

“

I assume today before God and all of you the mission to be the candidate of Brazil's future.