Bolsonaro Departs: Visas Issued After Passport Deadline Lapses

Senator Flavio Bolsonaro has left Brazil for the United States, defying a Supreme Court order to surrender his passports within 24 hours. Three sources confirmed the departure on Tuesday afternoon, noting that the U.S. State Department is set to grant entry visas for him, his wife, and two daughters. One source close to the family indicated that Bolsonaro landed in Florida but did not specify the exact location.

The departure follows Bolsonaro’s loss in Sunday’s presidential election to incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro has not conceded defeat and plans to seek an annulment of the result due to alleged voter irregularities. The legal order to seize his passports was issued in connection with a money laundering probe in which he denies any wrongdoing. The court cited the risk of him fleeing and his substantial financial resources in the ruling.

A senior State Department official confirmed the visa issuance, stating the department would allow the family entry. This decision threatens to widen the diplomatic rift between Brazil and the United States. Lula accused Washington of colluding with the Bolsonaro family to restore their power, citing reports of a State Department campaign ahead of the election. President Donald Trump, who has previously described Bolsonaro’s father as a victim of judicial persecution, called the Brazilian vote "another rigged election" on Monday.

Lula reacted to the news from Brasilia, describing Bolsonaro’s exit as shameful. He argued that the senator should have remained in Brazil to prove his innocence. Bolsonaro’s campaign manager, Senator Rogerio Marinho, expressed surprise at the sudden departure. Marinho noted that the team had discussed Bolsonaro’s role as opposition leader just the day before, referencing the 60 million votes he received.

Bolsonaro had stated on Monday that he had no plans to leave the country. "I have never thought about leaving the country," he said. "I will hand over my passports and defend myself against this travesty, which is a clear attempt to intimidate me." His departure occurred while his Senate term, which ends in February, still provides him with immunity from prosecution. A senior Federal Police official said Bolsonaro did not exit through any regular border crossing.

The political dynamics surrounding the exit were discussed earlier this month by Eduardo Bolsonaro, Flavio’s younger brother who resides in the U.S. Eduardo told podcaster Steven Crowder that an election loss would necessitate a move abroad. "If my brother does not win, I'm in favor that he would leave the country," he said. The Liberal Party acknowledged Lula’s victory on Monday, even though Flavio Bolsonaro has not formally conceded.