Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro spoke publicly for the first time Wednesday, after leaving Brazil for the United States following his loss in Sunday's presidential election, and declared himself Brazil's rightful president.
"I address the Brazilian people and the international community as the true elected president of Brazil," Bolsonaro said. "I would like to thank President Trump and the wonderful American people for welcoming me."
"On Sunday night, I watched in horror as electoral fraud unfolded right before my eyes," he said, alleging that the election results had been manipulated.
Bolsonaro said he anticipated the consequences of his electoral defeat, explaining that he did not intend to leave his homeland but "knew exactly where this was headed."
He described the subsequent actions against him as a "politically motivated witch hunt intended to hold me hostage."
Bolsonaro vows to lead opposition from US, denounces Brazil's justice system
Bolsonaro said he had brought his family to the United States because of what he described as the "politicization of the justice system in Brazil."
"I did not flee Brazil. I left for Brazil's sake. I left a state of exception so that I could be the leader my people deserve," he said.
Bolsonaro also urged the international community not to normalize Brazil's political situation.
"To the international community, I ask not to normalize what is happening in Brazil," he said.
He affirmed that he intends to lead the opposition from the United States.
Reuters contributed to this report.