Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro left Brazil for the United States on Friday, two days before the end of his mandate and the enthronement of his successor Lula in Brasilia, several media reported.
He should therefore not be present on Sunday at the induction ceremonies of the new left-wing president, to whom he was supposed to pass the presidential sash according to protocol.
Questioned by AFP, the presidency did not wish to confirm this information.
After bidding farewell to his supporters live on social media, but without mentioning a departure, Jair Bolsonaro boarded an air force plane around 2:00 p.m., O Globo, CNN Brasil media reported. Estadao and the UOL news site.
“I’m in flight, I’ll be back soon,” the far-right head of state told CNN Brasil.
A procession of presidential cars left the compound of the official residence of Alvorada in Brasilia, noted an AFP photographer, without being able to confirm that Bolsonaro was in one of the vehicles.
The general secretariat of the presidency has authorized the departure from the territory of members of the personnel responsible for the security of the “future ex-president” for a trip to Miami “from January 1 to 30, 2023”, according to the Official Journal on Friday.
It should be the first time since 1985 that an outgoing Brazilian president decides not to gird his successor with the presidential sash.
That year, the last president of the military dictatorship in place since 1964, General João Figueiredo, refused to participate in the investiture ceremony of his successor, José Sarney.
Since the victory of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, whom he has never congratulated, Mr. Bolsonaro has lived almost as a recluse in Brasilia and has locked himself in silence.