Rubio Says Trump Administration Did Not Help Flávio Bolsonaro Flee to US

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the Trump administration provided no assistance to Brazilian opposition figure Flávio Bolsonaro in travelling to the United States following his defeat in the country's presidential election.

Bolsonaro arrived in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday, a day after the US State Department announced that he and his family would be granted visas following his defeat to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the October 25 election.

Bolsonaro is facing investigations in Brazil over allegations of corruption, money laundering and tax evasion. Before his departure, police had ordered him to surrender his passport amid concerns that he might flee the country.

Speaking to reporters in Atlanta on Saturday, Rubio said, “We didn't help with anything.”

He said US officials had learned that Bolsonaro had arrived in the country. Bolsonaro already had a visa, and the president decided to allow him to enter the United States. However, Rubio insisted that the US government had no direct involvement in arranging his departure from Brazil.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said Bolsonaro could remain in the United States for as long as he wished. Trump also claimed that Bolsonaro had been treated unfairly in Brazil.

According to Reuters, Bolsonaro entered the United States under a special humanitarian authorisation. Such permission is generally valid for one year.

Bolsonaro had refused to accept the election results and alleged electoral fraud without providing evidence. Even after arriving in the United States, he continued to claim that he was Brazil's legitimate leader.