Outgoing President Jair Bolsonaro leaves the country for the United States even before the end of his mandate

He should therefore not be present on Sunday at the investiture ceremonies of the new leftist president, to whom he was supposed to pass the presidential sash according to protocol.

After saying goodbye to his supporters live on social media, but without mentioning a departure, Jair Bolsonaro boarded an air force plane, O Globo, CNN Brasil, Estadao and the UOL website reported.

“I’m flying, I’ll be back soon,” the far-right head of state told CNN Brasil.

A motorcade of presidential cars left Alvorada’s official residence complex in Brasilia, an AFP photographer noted, without being able to confirm that Bolsonaro was in one of the vehicles.

A first since 1985

The General Secretariat of the Presidency has authorized the departure from the territory of personnel responsible for the security of the “future former president” for a trip to Miami “from 1^and as of January 30, 2023”, according to Friday’s Official Gazette.

It should be the first time since 1985 that an outgoing Brazilian president has decided not to wear the presidential sash around his successor.

That year, the last president of the military dictatorship in office since 1964, General João Figueiredo, refused to attend the investiture ceremony of his successor, José Sarney.