President Javier Milei will travel to Brazil on Friday night to attend the Liberal Party’s national convention over the weekend and meet Senator and presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro ahead of the country’s election on October 4.

Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of convicted former president Jair Bolsonaro, is expected to be formally confirmed as the party’s candidate during Saturday’s event.

The conservative candidate is set to face incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, with whom Milei has long clashed over their opposing political views.

As on previous trips to Brazil, Milei will not meet with Lula. Instead, he will remain in São Paulo, where he is scheduled to meet Governor Tarcísio de Freitas and Flávio Bolsonaro before attending the convention.

The Argentine president’s visit is widely viewed as an endorsement of Flávio Bolsonaro’s candidacy. The senator has also received backing from United States President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In an official statement, the Argentine government said the purpose of the trip is to “strengthen ties” between Argentina and the state of São Paulo.

Jair Bolsonaro’s situation

In addition to meeting Flávio Bolsonaro and attending the Liberal Party convention, Milei had originally planned to visit Jair Bolsonaro, who was transferred from prison to house arrest in March because of health issues.

However, Brazil’s Supreme Court denied authorization for Milei’s visit.

Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to more than 27 years in jail in September 2025 for his role in a plot to overturn the results of the 2022 election and assassinate Lula after the vote. Prosecutors said the scheme was intended to prevent Lula from taking office after his election victory.

At the time, Bolsonaro was still president, and the court found that he had plotted with senior government officials and members of the military.

Last week, Justice Alexandre de Moraes barred Bolsonaro from receiving visitors for 30 days after he released a political letter through his son, violating a court order banning him from using social media, including through third parties.

De Moraes also ruled that Bolsonaro may not receive visitors for electoral purposes until after the October election or issue political statements under any circumstances.

The failed 2022 coup plot also included plans to assassinate Justice De Moraes — who later led the investigation into the case — and Vice President Geraldo Alckmin.

Milei’s agenda in Brazil

Milei will depart Buenos Aires on Friday night. On Saturday morning, he will receive the Order of Ipiranga from São Paulo Governor De Freitas. The award is the state’s highest honor for foreign visitors recognized for outstanding service to its people.

The two will then hold a working meeting at the governor’s residence alongside São Paulo Mayor Ricardo Nunes and Flávio Bolsonaro. According to the Argentine government, they will discuss their bilateral agenda.

Milei will later attend the Liberal Party’s national convention.