Flavio Bolsonaro Reportedly Flees Brazil for US Amidst Election Loss and Money Laundering Probe; US to Grant Visas

Flavio Bolsonaro, who suffered a defeat in Brazil's presidential run-off on October 25, has reportedly departed the country for the United States. A senior US State Department official confirmed that the Trump administration intends to issue visas to Senator Flavio Bolsonaro and his family, enabling their entry into the US. This development follows reports from news outlets indicating Bolsonaro fled Brazil after losing the presidential election.

The announcement came on Tuesday, a day after Brazil’s Supreme Court mandated Bolsonaro to surrender his passports as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering. Bolsonaro has maintained his innocence, denying any wrongdoing and stating on Monday his intention to remain in Brazil and lead the opposition.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has previously accused members of the Bolsonaro family of seeking US interference in Brazilian affairs for political gain, characterized the right-wing senator’s actions as shameful. Lula commented, “This is what the Bolsonaro family is like. Brazil is their second nation, the US is their first.”

Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro, initially declined to accept the election results and expressed his intent to challenge their validity. However, his party issued a statement on Monday acknowledging the election outcome, which saw the conservative candidate lose by over 4.4 million votes.

US President Donald Trump had previously cast doubt on the election results, telling reporters it “looked like another rigged election.” No evidence has surfaced to suggest the vote was compromised by malfeasance. While critics pointed to a last-minute decision to extend polling hours, Lula secured a commanding victory, and the extension was deemed unlikely to alter the final result.