Brazil’s far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro wants one of his sons to become the country’s new ambassador to the United States.
Bolsonaro told reporters in Brasilia on Thursday that he has been considering Eduardo Bolsonaro, who is currently a congressman, for the post and that it is up to his son to accept the position.
“Yes, it is on my radar. It is a possibility. He is friends with Trump’s children, he speaks English, Spanish and has great world experience. From my point of view, he would be an appropriate candidate who would represent us perfectly in Washington,” Bolsonaro explained.
Eduardo Bolsonaro – one of the president’s five sons – is currently a congressman for Sao Paulo state in Brazil’s lower house. He is also the president of the lower house’s Foreign Affairs Commission.
Brazil has been without a permanent ambassador since April when President Bolsonaro removed Sergio Amaral from the position shortly after his official visit to the US. He said then that he would be switching at least a dozen ambassadors in key countries because Brazil’s image was “not good” abroad.
Nominees must be at least 35 years old to be eligible for consideration. Eduardo Bolsonaro turned 35 on Wednesday, one day before his father made the announcement.
The young congressman told reporters that he needed to discuss the possible nomination with Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo and the President
“If President Jair Bolsonaro trusts me with that mission, I would be willing to end my current congressional term,” Eduardo Bolsonaro said outside the Lower House in Brasilia on Thursday. “I believe I possess the credentials that make me qualified for the job.”
He added that he had not received any “official” invitation yet and dismissed any claims that his possible nomination would be “nepotism.”
“There will always be criticisms. I don’t believe that me being considered for this position is nepotism. We’re not just talking about any individual that is unqualified for the position.”
A nominee for ambassador is chosen by the President and Foreign Minister before being submitted to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for approval and handed off to the Upper House for confirmation of appointment.
CNN’s Lauren Said-Moorhouse contributed to this report.