Rubio Says U.S. Did Not Directly Help Bolsonaro Leave Brazil

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday the United States did not directly help Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro leave Brazil after his election loss.

Bolsonaro departed Brazil following an order from authorities to surrender his passport as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. He faces allegations of corruption, including money laundering, and was considered a flight risk.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won re-election on October 25, defeating Bolsonaro in a presidential runoff. Lula received 51.8 percent of the vote, nearly 4.4 million votes ahead of Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro claimed he would seek to have the election results annulled after the Supreme Court extended voting by two hours nationwide. He alleged that the extension led to unequal treatment of voters and that the electoral court removed his party's poll watchers from the secure counting room.

Former President Donald Trump criticized Brazil's election, calling it a 'disgrace' and suggesting it was 'rigged.' Trump said Bolsonaro could remain in the United States indefinitely and had no plans to meet with him while in Florida.

Trump previously hosted Bolsonaro at the White House and praised him publicly. However, Democratic lawmakers accused the administration of interfering in the election, citing Trump's close ties to Bolsonaro and alleged diplomatic efforts to influence the outcome.