Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro has left Brazil for the United States, with the U.S. State Department confirming that visas will be issued for him and his family. His departure comes after he lost Sunday's presidential election and reportedly refused to comply with a Supreme Court order to surrender his passports.
One source close to the family indicated Flavio Bolsonaro had landed in Florida, though the exact location remained unclear. The State Department stated it would grant visas and allow entry into the U.S. for Flavio Bolsonaro and his family.
Flavio Bolsonaro, who has not officially conceded defeat to leftist incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, was ordered on Monday to hand over his passports within 24 hours. Sources indicated the passports were canceled after the deadline passed. The Supreme Court's ruling cited the risk of Bolsonaro fleeing the country and his substantial financial resources as reasons for seizing his passports.
Bolsonaro, who loses his senatorial immunity from prosecution in February, had stated on Monday that he had no plans to leave the country and intended to defend himself against what he called a "clear attempt to intimidate me."
His departure appears to have surprised some within his campaign. Senator Rogerio Marinho, the campaign manager, expressed surprise, noting that discussions had been about Flavio Bolsonaro taking on a leadership role in the opposition given the significant number of votes he received.
While Bolsonaro had not conceded, his Liberal Party acknowledged Lula's victory on Monday. It remains unclear how Bolsonaro was able to leave Brazil without passing through regular migration points, according to a senior Federal Police official.
This situation occurs amidst a backdrop of strained relations between Brazil and the United States. Lula has previously accused Washington of colluding with the Bolsonaros to help them regain power. Ahead of the election, Reuters reported on a State Department campaign allegedly aimed at reinstating them. Former President Jair Bolsonaro, Flavio's father, also traveled to the United States after his 2022 election loss, eventually returning to Brazil where he received a 27-year sentence related to a coup plot following his supporters' storming of government buildings in Brasilia.
Flavio Bolsonaro's brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro, who resides in the United States, had previously suggested that if Flavio did not win the election, leaving the country might be necessary.