Flávio Bolsonaro Lands in Miami After Brazil Election Defeat

Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and his family landed in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, after fleeing Brazil following his presidential election defeat to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The departure comes as Bolsonaro faces multiple criminal investigations and a Supreme Court order to surrender his travel documents.

The arrival at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport marked the first public appearance of the 45-year-old senator since he posted a social media video on Monday. Uniformed officers used large umbrellas to shield the family from gathered media as they were escorted to a waiting vehicle. Bolsonaro arrived with his wife and daughters.

A Circuitous Route Through Argentina and Ecuador

Bolsonaro’s journey to Florida involved a series of rapid movements across the Americas to avoid Brazilian authorities. According to Argentina’s migration authority, the family crossed into Argentina late Tuesday. Authorities stated the group possessed valid travel documentation and faced no legal impediments to entering Argentina.

Flávio Bolsonaro lands in Miami after fleeing Brazil following election defeat

From Argentina, the group boarded a private charter flight operated by Baires Fly S.A. at 11:30 p.m. local time. Flight data and trackers showed the aircraft landed in Guayaquil, Ecuador, at approximately 4 a.m. local time Wednesday before departing minutes later for Miami. The aircraft, a Gulfstream IV registered as LV-JQW, reportedly belonged to a businessman who has been investigated in a separate scandal involving bribes for medicines for people with disabilities.

Bolsonaro Uses Italian Passport to Enter Argentina

The flight occurred just as a legal deadline expired in Brazil. The Supreme Court had ordered Bolsonaro to surrender his regular and diplomatic passports by noon Tuesday. Bolsonaro had previously claimed in a video that he intended to defend myself against this aberration and denied any intention of leaving the country.

MIAMI (AP) — Defeated Brazilian presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro and his family have landed in Miami after fleeing Argentina.

— https://x.com/GeoffRBennett/status/2115442246212259999

Despite the order, a Brazilian diplomat told the Associated Press that Bolsonaro used an Italian passport to enter Argentina. Because foreign passports are issued by other countries, Brazilian authorities can order their surrender but cannot revoke them.

The travel ban is linked to several high-stakes investigations. The Supreme Court is probing allegations of corruption, tax evasion, and a money-laundering scheme involving betting companies. In another case, investigators are examining claims that the senator accepted millions of dollars from a disgraced banker.

Flávio Bolsonaro arrives in Miami after Brazil election defeat

Trump Issues Visas to Bolsonaro Family

The U.S. State Department confirmed it would issue visas to Bolsonaro and his family, allowing their entry. President Donald Trump, who called the Bolsonaros fine people, expressed skepticism about the Brazilian election results.

The election was very strange, and I thought it was terrible.

Donald Trump, U.S. President

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who won the runoff by more than four million votes, reacted with disdain during his 81st birthday celebrations in Brasília. Lula characterized the flight as shameful and suggested the Bolsonaro family views the United States as their true home, claiming their first priority is licking American boots.

Flávio Bolsonaro Lands in Miami After Brazil Election Defeat — Photo: NPR

The move may strain relations between Brazil and Argentina. Argentine President Javier Milei, a Trump ally who campaigned for Bolsonaro, has seen his administration’s spokesman, Adrián Ravier, state there is no asylum request from the senator.

A Family Pattern of Exile

Flávio’s departure follows a familiar path for his immediate family. His father, Jair Bolsonaro, also fled to Florida after his 2022 defeat before returning to Brazil; he is currently serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest for plotting a coup. His brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro, lives in a $1.2 million home in Texas after receiving green cards for his family.

Brazil’s Flavio Bolsonaro lands in Miami after refusing to surrender his passports

Flávio’s own political protections are nearing an end. While he currently holds immunity as a senator, his term expires on January 31, 2027, at which point he will lose special jurisdiction at the Supreme Court.

While the U.S. has welcomed the senator, the specifics of his legal standing remain contested.