Flavio Bolsonaro Announces Presidential Run Backed by Argentina's Javier Milei

Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, announced on Thursday his intention to run for the presidency in Brazil’s 2026 election, positioning himself as a challenger to incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The declaration was made at a rally in Rio de Janeiro, where Flavio, a federal deputy representing the state, outlined his campaign’s focus on public security, economic liberalization and opposition to what he described as “left‑wing policies” of the current administration.

Flavio Bolsonaro, a member of the Liberal Party, has previously served in the national legislature and has been linked to several investigations involving his family’s business dealings. His candidacy emerges amid a polarized political environment, with Lula’s government navigating economic pressures and social reforms while the Bolsonaro family remains a focal point of controversy following Jair Bolsonaro’s impeachment proceedings and subsequent exile. The launch marks the first formal presidential bid from a direct descendant of a former Brazilian president, setting the stage for a contested race that could reshape the nation’s political landscape.