Defeated Brazilian presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro and his family arrived in Miami on October 28 after leaving Brazil via Argentina and Ecuador, days after a Supreme Court order to surrender his passports.
Flávio Bolsonaro and his family stepped off a private jet at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport around 9:30 a.m. local time on October 28 after a multi-leg flight from Brazil.
The 45-year-old senator, who lost Sunday’s presidential runoff to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, had been ordered by Brazil’s Supreme Court to surrender his passports by noon Tuesday amid ongoing investigations. He left via the Argentine border late Tuesday, then flew through Ecuador before reaching the United States.
The U.S. State Department confirmed visas had been issued for Bolsonaro, his wife and two daughters. Lula called the departure “shameful,” while Bolsonaro has refused to concede and accused the government of persecution.
Photographs and flight-tracking data from BBC, Al Jazeera and NBC News confirm the arrival and the route. Brazilian authorities cancelled his passport after he failed to comply with the court order.
The episode adds a new layer to the political tensions following the runoff and raises questions about any future legal proceedings or extradition requests. Further clarity is expected once Bolsonaro issues a formal statement from the United States.
People Sentiments Public Mood: Negative
- Lula: those who have nothing to hide have nothing to fear
- Bolsonaro: elected leader facing persecution