The move comes one day after Flávio met privately with President Donald Trump at the White House
The children of former president Jair Bolsonaro returned to the center of political articulations in Washington. Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and former deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro are expected this Wednesday in meetings linked to the nucleus responsible for United States policy towards Latin Americaamid the strengthening of rapprochement between allies of the Bolsonaro family and members of the Donald Trump government.
The move takes place one day later. According to the senator, the two discussed public security, organized crime, strategic minerals and the political situation in Brazil. Trump also reportedly asked about former president Jair Bolsonarosentenced to 27 years in prison for his involvement in the coup attempt after the 2022 elections.
This Wednesday’s agenda should include contacts with members of the Office for Western Hemisphere Affairs, sector of the State Department that coordinates American policy for Latin America and the Caribbean.
One of the main names involved is Michael Kozak, a veteran diplomat who currently heads the area on an interim basis.. Kozak is known in Washington for working for decades in delicate negotiations involving democracy, regional security and political crises in Latin America. Behind the scenes, he is treated as one of the State Department’s most experienced diplomats on Latin American issues.
Another important name is Christopher Landau, current number two in American diplomacy and former ambassador to Mexico during the first Trump administration. Landau gained influence within the White House for his work on issues related to immigration, borders and regional security.
Behind the diplomatic scenes, Lula government advisors are following the movement with concern. Palácio do Planalto assesses that Bolsonaro’s allies have been trying to increase support within the most conservative wing of the Trump government at a decisive moment for this year’s Brazilian elections.
In recent months, Eduardo Bolsonaro intensified international trips and meetings with conservative representatives in the United States, Israel and the Middle East. Flávio is now trying to consolidate his pre-candidacy for the Presidency of Brazil in 2026, after receiving public support from his father.
The assessment in Washington is that the The frequent presence of Bolsonaro’s children in the American capital shows that the relationship between Bolsonaroism and sectors of Trumpism remains active and could gain weight in the Brazilian political dispute in the coming months.
Who is who
Christopher Landau:
Today he is the US Deputy Secretary of State — in practice, number 2 in the State Department, below only the Secretary of State. This makes him one of the most influential people in American diplomacy.
Before this position, Landau gained a lot of visibility as US ambassador to Mexico during the first Trump administration. There he built a direct relationship with the issue that is now central to the White House: migration, borders, security and Chinese influence in the region.
In practice, those who know Washington tend to describe Landau as a political-diplomatic operator:
• less ideological than other Trumpist names;
• more focused on negotiations between governments;
• with direct access to the political core of the White House.
Michael Kozak:
If Landau is the politician, Kozak is the career diplomat. Since January 2025, he has been interim head of the Office of Western Hemisphere Affairs, which is the body responsible for US policy for all of Latin America and the Caribbean.
His profile is interesting because it is not a new name. Kozak has been with the state department for decades and has worked in:
• negotiations with the Manuel Noriega regime in Panama;
• operations in Cuba;
• embassy in Belarus;
• area of democracy and human rights;
• National Security Council;
• management of migration issues and detentions.
He has a reputation in Washington as a “fixer” — the diplomat called in when there is a crisis or complicated negotiation.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
