The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Hungary’s ambassador to Brazil, Miklós Halmay, to clarify the two days that former President Jair Bolsonaro spent at the Hungarian diplomatic mission while under investigation. The summons occurred as reported by Folha de S. Paulo on Monday, outlining that Bolsonaro sought refuge at the Hungarian embassy in Brasília during a sensitive period in Brazil’s security and legal proceedings.
The ministry’s statement indicated that the explanation was requested to understand the circumstances of Bolsonaro’s stay at the embassy, which followed the federal police seizing his passport. The publication noted that the ambassador was asked for details about the former president’s presence on embassy grounds in the capital, stressing that the meeting was brief and focused on gathering information rather than issuing judgments.
According to Folha de S. Paulo, the meeting lasted about twenty minutes. Brazil’s delegation was led by Maria Luísa Escorel de Morais, the secretary of European and North American affairs at the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Halmay was reportedly listened to and did not offer public comments about the matter.
Brazilian authorities have described Bolsonaro’s decision to seek shelter at a foreign mission as a possible interference by a European nation in Brazil’s internal affairs, a claim that has sparked diplomatic tension and prompted calls for clarification from Brasília.
Bolsonaro publicly corroborated a recent report to a Brazilian outlet, Metropoles, confirming that he spent two days inside the Hungarian Embassy in Brasília. The disclosure has added to the controversy surrounding the incident in the context of ongoing investigations into his actions after the 2022 election.
The initial report emerged from The New York Times, which stated that Bolsonaro and his entourage were at the Hungarian diplomatic mission between February 12 and 14. A satellite image later circulated showing Bolsonaro’s car within the embassy’s precinct, intensifying questions about the legal and diplomatic implications of his stay during an active inquiry.
In the days that followed, Brazilian federal police moved to confiscate Bolsonaro’s passport as part of an investigation into a suspected coup plot linked to his bid to remain in power after the 2022 vote. The case has continued to provoke debate about constitutional norms, the role of foreign missions in domestic political affairs, and the boundaries of asylum or shelter offered by host states in such scenarios.
Meanwhile, regional observers note that the incident has prompted reactions beyond Brazil’s borders, with calls for careful handling of diplomacy and respect for national sovereignty. The episode underscores the delicate balance between protecting political figures during legal scrutiny and upholding the integrity of state institutions. Observers also highlight the importance of transparency and consistent legal procedures in managing high-profile investigations that touch on elite leadership and international relations.
In a separate but related development, a Costa Rican former president figure has faced separate allegations in the region. Reports indicate involvement in influence operations that have drawn scrutiny from multiple jurisdictions, illustrating how political accountability remains a shared concern across Latin American democracies.