Trump’s Allies Face Setbacks as Bolsonaro Reaches U.S.

The article examines how election results in Serbia and Brazil have weakened Donald Trump’s network of international political allies shortly before US midterm elections. Serbian voters backed the Student List, defeating the political camp of outgoing president Aleksandar Vucic, while Brazilian voters returned incumbent Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva to office over Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. The article says Trump supported both the Bolsonaros and Vucic, making the results unwelcome for him, although they are not expected to affect how Americans vote in the midterms. In Brazil, Flavio Bolsonaro is under investigation for alleged corruption and money laundering. After his defeat, he went to Florida, and the US State Department granted entry visas to him and his family despite the pending legal action. Flavio Bolsonaro has not conceded and has alleged voting irregularities. Trump likewise called the Brazilian election “rigged,” echoing his false claims that the 2020 US election was stolen. Vucic, who had led Serbia since 2017 and previously served as prime minister, was closely associated with Trump’s political movement. He had described himself and Trump as like-minded, and Trump’s son Donald Jr. visited him in Belgrade. Vucic also maintained comparatively friendly relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and did not join EU sanctions against Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. His defeat therefore removes one of Trump’s few European allies with a similar outlook on Russia. The article also notes uncertainty in Israel, where Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc was leading but had lost its majority, making coalition talks difficult. Despite these international setbacks, foreign policy analyst Lawrence J. Haas argues that they will not determine the US midterms. Voters are more likely to focus on domestic concerns, including affordability and opposition to the US-Iran war. Haas adds that Trump’s approval rating is exceptionally low for a president approaching a midterm election.

The article reports that Brazilian senator and defeated presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro left Brazil for the United States in an operation involving several political and logistical connections abroad. CNN Brasil’s investigation says a former Mossad officer accompanied Bolsonaro as he crossed into Argentina with his wife, Fernanda, and their two daughters. The officer’s identity is unknown, and investigators have not determined whether he helped plan the departure. The family reportedly crossed at the Tancredo Neves International Bridge in two vans, then flew from Argentina to the Miami area on a private jet that refuelled in Ecuador. The operation was reportedly called “Operation Alba.” Reports by The New York Times and Argentina’s Clarín have described possible assistance from Trump adviser Jason Miller and Argentine presidential adviser Santiago Caputo, respectively. Brazilian investigators are examining possible logistical support linked to the governments of Javier Milei and Donald Trump, but direct government involvement has not been established. Bolsonaro lost the October 25 runoff to incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. A Brazilian Supreme Federal Court order required him to surrender his personal and diplomatic passports and barred him from leaving the country, amid investigations into suspected money laundering. He denies wrongdoing, and the allegations have not been proven in court. Federal police say they found no record of his departure through official immigration checkpoints and are investigating how he crossed the border; authorities may seek to freeze his assets. The departure has prompted diplomatic questions in Brazil, Argentina, and the United States. Brazil summoned Argentina’s representative for clarification, while Democratic lawmakers reportedly questioned whether US diplomatic resources were used. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US administration was not directly involved in the travel arrangements. President Trump approved the family’s entry under humanitarian parole and later said Bolsonaro could remain in the United States indefinitely. Bolsonaro thanked Trump and Milei for their support.

US President Donald Trump said Brazilian politician Flavio Bolsonaro can stay in the United States for as long as he wishes, while calling Brazil’s presidential election a “disgrace.” Trump made the comments to reporters at a Halloween party at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. Flavio Bolsonaro left Brazil after his electoral defeat, despite having led in several opinion polls. His departure followed a Brazilian Supreme Court justice’s order revoking his passport, and he faces two federal money-laundering investigations. Brazilian police had also considered him a flight risk. Bolsonaro entered the US under humanitarian parole, a status generally granted for a limited period, typically one year. Trump’s remarks suggest he would allow Bolsonaro to stay beyond that period, although Trump said he had no plans to meet him. A US official and another person familiar with the matter told Reuters that Trump does not currently plan to support Bolsonaro’s political ambitions. The comments came amid renewed diplomatic contact between Washington and Brasilia. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira on the sidelines of a Group of 20 meeting in Atlanta. Rubio said they were expected to meet again in France at a G7 foreign ministers’ summit, which Brazil is due to attend as an observer. Rubio also said the US government was not directly involved in the moves that led to Bolsonaro’s departure, although media reports said White House official Jason Miller helped arrange his trip to the US. Flavio is the son of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, who is imprisoned in Brazil for plotting a coup after losing his 2022 re-election bid. Lula, who defeated Jair Bolsonaro, previously spent 17 months in prison on corruption charges that were later annulled. The article frames Flavio’s presence in the US as a potential source of continuing political disagreement and uncertainty in US-Brazil relations.