The reported departure of Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro for Florida has added another layer of tension to the relationship between Brazil and the United States. The move reportedly came after Bolsonaro lost a closely watched presidential runoff and faced a court order requiring him to surrender his passports.
Bolsonaro, a member of the right-wing Liberal Party (PL), was defeated by incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, according to Reuters. Rather than comply with the order, the 45-year-old senator allegedly left Brazil and traveled to Miami, catching some of his political allies by surprise.
The U.S. State Department has reportedly agreed to issue entry visas to Bolsonaro and his family. The decision has drawn criticism from Lula’s administration and could become another source of friction between the two countries.
President Lula called the action “shameful”
The dispute intensified after the Brazilian Supreme Court gave Bolsonaro 24 hours on Monday to hand over his passports. The order reportedly cited his financial resources and concerns that he might leave the country. It was linked to an ongoing money-laundering investigation, in which Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing.
Earlier that day, Bolsonaro posted a video on Instagram saying he had “never thought about leaving the country.” He also described the court’s actions as a “travesty” intended to intimidate him. Despite those remarks, he allegedly left Brazil before meeting the deadline.
Brazilian authorities subsequently canceled his travel documents after he failed to surrender them. News of his departure reportedly surprised members of his own party. Senator Rogério Marinho, his campaign manager, had been preparing for Bolsonaro to take on a leadership role in the opposition following the election.
Witnesses reportedly saw Bolsonaro arrive at a Florida airport on Wednesday morning. His brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro, already lives in the United States and had previously suggested that Flávio should consider leaving Brazil if he lost the election.
The timing also matters for Bolsonaro’s legal position. His Senate term is due to end in February 2027, potentially changing the protections he currently enjoys as a sitting lawmaker.
The reported move has become a diplomatic issue, with Lula criticizing Bolsonaro for leaving instead of remaining in Brazil to face the legal process. The Brazilian president called the departure “shameful” and said Bolsonaro should prove his innocence through the courts. Lula has also accused U.S. officials of working with the Bolsonaro family, allegations that have added to the strain between the governments.
U.S. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has defended the Bolsonaro family. He questioned the Brazilian election results, describing them as “strange” and “terrible,” and backed the reported decision to grant the family visas. Trump also referred to the Bolsonaros as “fine people.”
The episode recalls the departure of Flávio’s father, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who traveled to Florida in 2022 after losing the election to Lula. Jair Bolsonaro later returned to Brazil and is serving a 27-year prison sentence over a plot to overturn the election result.
Published: Oct 28, 2026 02:30 pm