Flávio Bolsonaro, the defeated Brazilian presidential candidate, has landed in Miami with his wife and two daughters. The 45-year-old senator left Brazil after losing the presidential runoff to incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro's departure came amid political upheaval in Brazil, with Bolsonaro refusing to accept the election result and seeking to have it annulled.
Bolsonaro travelled with his family through Argentina and Ecuador before reaching Florida. Argentina's migration authority reported that Bolsonaro, his wife Fernanda, and their two daughters entered the country late on Tuesday through the Tancredo Neves International Bridge. They then boarded a private charter flight bound for Guayaquil, Ecuador, before continuing to Miami.
The US administration granted Bolsonaro and his family visas, with President Donald Trump approving their entry and criticizing Brazil's election without providing evidence of irregularities. Bolsonaro lost to Lula by about 4.4 million votes and has made allegations of fraud, vowing to challenge the result, which has been endorsed by international leaders and the Organization of American States.
Bolsonaro's departure also came as a Brazilian Supreme Court deadline for him to surrender his regular and diplomatic passports expired. Reports indicated it was unclear whether he had complied with the order. Bolsonaro is under investigation in Brazil in cases involving alleged corruption, money laundering, and tax evasion, which he denies.
Lula expressed regret over Bolsonaro's decision to leave Brazil, suggesting he could have remained in the country and challenged the accusations against him. Bolsonaro's journey may add tension between Lula and Argentina's President Javier Milei, who supported Bolsonaro during the campaign and travelled to Brazil.
The latest election result has brought both a new political confrontation and an international dimension, with Flávio Bolsonaro now in the United States as Brazil's institutions consider his challenge to the vote. Bolsonaro is the son of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, who fled to Florida after losing the 2022 election to Lula before returning to Brazil three months later.
Jair Bolsonaro is now serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest for attempting a coup after that defeat. The situation highlights the ongoing political tensions in Brazil and the region, with implications for international relations and the country's institutions.
Key points
- Flávio Bolsonaro lands in Miami after fleeing Brazil with his family
- Bolsonaro's departure comes amid political upheaval and allegations of election fraud
- The situation may strain regional ties between Lula and Argentina's President Javier Milei
