Flavio Bolsonaro and his family have left Brazil and are traveling to the United States, according to multiple media reports. The former presidential candidate, who ran on a far-right platform, lost the October 26 election to incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The U.S. State Department confirmed it will grant visas to Bolsonaro and his family following their departure.
The move comes despite a court order in Brazil that banned Bolsonaro from leaving the country. Reports indicate that Bolsonaro’s former campaign manager denied knowledge of any plan to flee, stating the senator did not inform him of the decision. Bolsonaro’s allies have not publicly commented on the situation.
This is the second time Bolsonaro has faced legal challenges after an election loss. In 2022, he was sentenced to nine years in prison for corruption, though the sentence was later suspended. His family, including his wife and children, have also been implicated in legal matters.
Bolsonaro’s departure follows a controversial election that saw a shift from the traditional conservative vote in Brazil. Lula, a former leftist leader, won with a strong mandate, marking a return to left-wing governance. Bolsonaro’s allies have expressed concerns about the legal consequences of his actions, but no formal charges have been filed against him in the U.S.
The situation highlights the political tensions in Brazil, where Bolsonaro’s influence remains strong despite his electoral defeat. His family’s current location remains unknown, and the U.S. Has not yet confirmed the exact terms of their visa approval.
