Flávio Bolsonaro Flees Brazil on Italian Passport, Lands in Miami After Defeat

Flávio Bolsonaro, the defeated Brazilian presidential candidate, arrived in Miami on Wednesday after leaving Brazil through Argentina using his Italian passport, defying a Supreme Court order requiring him to surrender his travel documents.

The senator landed at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport shortly after 9:20 a.m. local time on October 28, accompanied by his wife and two daughters. His departure came three days after his presidential election defeat to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

An Exit Through Argentina

Rather than departing from a Brazilian airport, Bolsonaro crossed into Argentina late Tuesday through the border connecting Foz do Iguaçu and Puerto Iguazú.

He entered Argentina at approximately 10:50 p.m. using his Italian passport, while his family presented Brazilian documents. Argentina's National Directorate of Migration confirmed that four people had entered the country with valid identification.

The land crossing allowed Bolsonaro to leave without undergoing Brazilian Federal Police exit checks.

About 40 minutes later, the family boarded a privately operated Gulfstream G400 registered in Argentina as LV-JQW. The aircraft, operated by Baires Fly S.A., traveled north without entering Brazilian airspace.

A refueling stop in Guayaquil, Ecuador, lasting approximately 30 to 35 minutes preceded the final flight to Miami.

Photographs from the arrival showed Bolsonaro leaving the aircraft wearing a dark polo shirt and carrying a backpack. U.S. customs agents escorted him through the airport, and he left in a convoy without speaking to reporters.

Supreme Court Order Defied

The departure followed an order from Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes requiring Bolsonaro to hand over both his Brazilian and Italian passports within 24 hours.

The directive came after Bolsonaro visited his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, who remains under house arrest following a conviction connected to the attempted coup in 2022.

Brazilian authorities reportedly cancelled the senator's Brazilian and diplomatic passports after he failed to comply with the surrender order. His Italian passport was nevertheless used for the journey into Argentina.

The judicial restrictions were linked to investigations examining alleged money laundering involving lawyer Willer Tomaz, betting platforms and offshore financial arrangements.

Another line of investigation concerns the financing of "Dark Horse", a biographical film about Jair Bolsonaro connected to Daniel Vorcaro.

Flávio Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing.

Election Defeat Preceded Departure

Bolsonaro lost the October 25 presidential runoff to Lula, who secured approximately 51.8% of the vote, equivalent to 64.26 million ballots. Bolsonaro received about 48.2%, or 59.83 million votes.

He initially challenged the outcome, demanding that the election be invalidated over a two-hour extension of voting ordered by the Supreme Federal Court. His Liberal Party subsequently accepted the official results.

Before leaving Brazil, Bolsonaro had publicly committed to remaining in the country and heading the political opposition. His arrival in the United States marked a reversal of that position less than a week after the election.

Washington Opens the Door

The U.S. State Department had confirmed that Bolsonaro and his family would receive visas allowing them to enter the country.

President Donald Trump also publicly signaled approval. "I would approve. I think they're fine people," Trump said. He has previously characterized judicial proceedings targeting members of the Bolsonaro family as political persecution.

Allies said the senator was safe and resting following his arrival in Miami. He is reportedly expected to speak to the media on Thursday, October 29, although no interview or press conference has been confirmed.