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Brazilian senator Flavio Bolsonaro has fled to the United States, claiming he faced political persecution at home following his defeat in Sunday’s presidential runoff election. Bolsonaro lost to incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and secretly departed Brazil on Tuesday, traveling through Argentina and Ecuador before arriving in Florida on Wednesday aboard a private jet.
Bolsonaro Speaks Out on Instagram
In an Instagram livestream, Bolsonaro explained his decision to leave Brazil. He said police informed him on Monday that his Brazilian passports were being canceled as part of a money laundering investigation. The revocation came as he was leaving a visit with his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest.
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Bolsonaro described an emotional exchange with his father during that visit. “With tears in his eyes, he told me: ‘You know where they’re going with this, don’t you?'” the senator recounted. He added that he then told his father he understood and knew what he had to do.
He declined to explain how he crossed the border, saying only that he and his wife made the decision “without anyone knowing.” He also urged supporters not to “point the finger at anyone.” Additionally, he alleged that Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes had made false accusations against him and suggested there were irregularities in the election runoff, though he offered no specific evidence.
Diplomatic Fallout Between Brazil and Argentina
Bolsonaro’s escape route through Argentina quickly triggered a diplomatic dispute. Brazil’s foreign ministry summoned Argentina’s chargé d’affaires María Emilia Cortés on Thursday to demand an explanation. Brazil’s top South America diplomat, Joao Marcelo, led the meeting, according to a diplomatic source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Relations between Brazil and Argentina were already strained before this incident. In July, Brazil recalled its ambassador after Argentine President Javier Milei called Lula a “thief” and “delinquent” during a visit to São Paulo. Argentina also recalled its ambassador in response. Both countries now conduct diplomatic relations through lower-ranking chargés d’affaires.
Milei backed Bolsonaro in the presidential race and has not yet acknowledged Lula’s victory. His presidential spokesperson, Juan Pablo Carreira, defended the situation on social media, saying the administration rescued Bolsonaro “from the claws of communism, which seeks to imprison all opposition figures.” Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump also faces pressure to explain any American involvement in Bolsonaro’s arrival in Florida.
Legal Troubles and Future Ambitions
Bolsonaro faces ongoing investigations in Brazil over allegations of corruption and money laundering. He has refused to concede the election and called the results fraudulent, without providing evidence. His father, Jair Bolsonaro, similarly refused to accept his 2022 loss to Lula and is currently serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup.
Despite his legal situation, Flavio Bolsonaro expressed confidence about his political future. He predicted the economy would “go bust” under Lula and signaled he intends to run for president again. “I’m not talking about 2030,” he said. “I’m talking about before then.”
