Caiado claims that 'leadership is not inherited' after Flávio reads Bolsonaro's letter

"Flávio Bolsonaro, 45 years old, read a letter from his father live to say that he is ready to be president", commented the former governor of Goiás, adding that "leadership is not inherited, it is demonstrated".

The demonstration was published on social media after Flávio read, during a live broadcast, the letter written by his father. In the document, Bolsonaro asks his supporters to leave "differences aside" and unite around his son's pre-candidacy.

According to Caiado, voters expect a president to have the ability to make decisions for himself "in the toughest moments."

"Voters do not want a president who needs constant approval from another leadership; they want someone capable of leading the country on their own. Think of a crisis involving Venezuela, Bolivia or Argentina. At this moment, no one can have any doubts about who is in charge, much less imagine that the president first needs to listen to someone before acting", he wrote.

The letter, called "Letter to Brazilians", like the one that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva released in 2002, was read after a visit by the senator to the former president, who is under house arrest after being convicted of leading the attempted coup d'état. In it, Bolsonaro presents Flávio as his spokesman and reinforces support for his son's candidacy.

"The time is to roll up our sleeves, put aside possible differences, and each of us strive for our presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, the best option for freeing Brazil from corruption, violence and impoverishment", wrote Jair Bolsonaro.

In another excerpt, the former president says he trusts the senator to lead the country: "My pre-candidate, I believe yours too, my spokesperson, in whom I trust to rescue Brazil and lead us to peace and prosperity."

The message is an attempt to silence the differences behind the scenes in the party and force the alignment of leaders who, fearful of pre-campaign wear and tear, have avoided public alignment with Flávio.

Last month, former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro (PL) released a video criticizing her stepson amid disagreements between the two over the electoral alliance in Ceará, triggering a crisis that led to Michelle's resignation from the presidency of PL Mulher and the removal of publications on social media.

On another front of conflict in Bolsonaroism, federal deputy Zé Trovão (PL-SC) said that Bolsonaro was a "coward" for remaining silent after his defeat in the presidential election in 2022. Two of the former president's children went public to criticize the statement on social media.

Flávio also experiences strain involving his relationship with Daniel Vorcaro, owner of Banco Master, with whom he negotiated the receipt of money to finance the film about his father's political trajectory, and with allies who became targets of the Federal Police.

The former mayor of Belford Roxo (RJ) Márcio Canella (União), for whom Flávio asked the Senate for votes, was arrested by the Federal Police with a restricted-use rifle. Former state deputies Rodrigo Bacellar (União-RJ) and TH Joias (MDB-RJ), PL allies in Rio, were arrested on suspicion of involvement with Comando Vermelho (CV).

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