Defeated Brazilian senator Flavio Bolsonaro travels to U.S. amid exit ban

Defeated right-wing presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro left Brazil for the United States on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, despite a court order banning him from exiting the country. CNN, the Washington Post, and the news website Metrópoles reported his arrival and travel, noting he landed in Florida with his wife and two daughters. The far-right senator lost the presidential election on Sunday, October 25, 2026, to incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, securing 51.8% of the vote, and refused to concede defeat. On Monday, October 26, 2026, a Supreme Court justice ordered Mr. Bolsonaro to hand over his passports and set a Tuesday morning deadline, which he missed. He is under investigation for corruption and money laundering, and faces losing his parliamentary immunity following his election loss. A police source told AFP that his Brazilian and diplomatic passports were cancelled and no formal record of his departure exists, but an Italian parliamentary document shows he has held Italian nationality since 2023. Allies told the Folha de S Paulo newspaper that his escape plan was organized by a lawyer close to the Bolsonaro family, and Metrópoles reported he planned to request political asylum. President Lula called the act shameful during his 81st birthday celebration in Brasilia, stating that a person who sneaks out of their country must have something to hide. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump described Brazil's elections as rigged. U.S. State Department spokespersons confirmed visas would be issued for Mr. Bolsonaro and his family without confirming travel plans. Lawmakers from Mr. Lula's Workers' party have asked the Supreme Court to order his arrest and request an Interpol Red Notice. Mr. Bolsonaro's campaign manager, Rogerio Marinho, expressed shock over the reports and stated he only received a text message saying the senator would talk later.

Context

Flavio Bolsonaro is the son of jailed former Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro, who also left Brazil after losing an election to Mr. Lula. The Bolsonaro family maintains close ties with American political figures, including Eduardo Bolsonaro, a U.S.-based former lawmaker and brother to Flavio.