Santiago, Chile – Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has cancelled his planned attendance at the inauguration of Chile’s new president, José Antonio Kast, scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The decision follows confirmation that Flávio Bolsonaro, a Brazilian senator and leading presidential candidate, received an invitation to the ceremony.
The Brazilian presidency has not publicly detailed the specific reasons for Lula’s cancellation, but the move is widely interpreted as a protest against Bolsonaro’s presence. According to reports, Lula’s absence mirrors a previous decision to skip the inauguration of Argentine President Javier Milei in December 2023, when members of the Bolsonaro family were also invited.
Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, has been critical of Lula’s decision, accusing the current administration of “intolerance.” Speaking to Brazilian television network Band, Bolsonaro stated that Lula “still cannot coexist with those who consider differently” and that the cancellation reflects a position of “hatred.” He further suggested Lula prefers associating with nations he characterized as having poor human rights records, referencing countries with ties to groups he labeled as “terrorist.”
The senator, currently a frontrunner in polls for the October 2026 Brazilian presidential election, described his reception in Chile as befitting a “head of state.” He emphasized the importance of Kast’s election, characterizing him as a “conservative of the right” and a “great defender of life.”
The inauguration of Kast, a Republican Party leader, marks a significant political shift in Chile, consolidating the country’s move towards the right after the administration of Gabriel Boric, an ally of Lula. The event was anticipated to draw conservative leaders from across Latin America.
While Lula congratulated Kast on his election victory in December and pledged to maintain bilateral relations, the decision to forgo the inauguration ceremony underscores the ideological divide between the two leaders. The cancellation has sparked debate regarding diplomatic protocol and the implications for regional political alliances.
As of Wednesday morning, neither the Chilean government nor the Brazilian presidential office has issued further statements regarding the matter. Flávio Bolsonaro is expected to attend the inauguration ceremony in Santiago.
