Flavio Bolsonaro Lands in Miami After Disappearing for Days

Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro arrived in Miami on Wednesday morning, ending a period of uncertainty regarding his location following his defeat in the presidential runoff. Flight tracking data confirmed that the family departed Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, at 12:18 local time on Wednesday. Their private jet made a brief stop in Guayaquil, Ecuador, before landing at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport shortly before 09:30 local time.

The United States State Department confirmed it would issue visas to Bolsonaro and the family members who traveled with him. Brazil had cancelled his passport after he failed to hand it over to authorities, who are pursuing a criminal investigation. Bolsonaro denies any wrongdoing in the pending cases.

In a statement released after his arrival, Bolsonaro described himself as the true elected president of Brazil. He thanked the US government for admitting his family and expressed gratitude to the presidents of Argentina and the United States. He stated that it was never his intention to leave his homeland but knew exactly where the situation was heading. He called himself a victim of a coup and political persecution, saying the trip was meant to protect his family. He also claimed that the criminals who stole Brazil's election are part of a criminal organization that has established a tyranny.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was reelected in Sunday's vote, criticized the departure. He said that those who have nothing to hide have nothing to fear. The confusion over Bolsonaro's location began with a report on an Argentine news site claiming he had crossed into Argentina and boarded a plane to the US. Brazilian police checked border crossings early on Tuesday and found no sign he had left. Argentine officials said they had no record of a crossing until Tuesday night, when migration authorities confirmed Bolsonaro, his wife, and their two daughters had crossed by land.

This is not the first time a member of the Bolsonaro family has moved to the United States. His father, Jair Bolsonaro, left for Florida in December 2022 before Lula's inauguration. He was still there when supporters stormed Brazil's government buildings and Supreme Court on 8 January. Jair Bolsonaro later cited his absence in his defense at his coup trial, which ended in a conviction and a 27-year sentence. His brother Eduardo Bolsonaro has been living in Texas on leave from Congress and lobbied US officials over his father's trial. Brazil's highest court convicted Eduardo in absentia earlier this year.

Flavio Bolsonaro faces two pending investigations at Brazil's Supreme Federal Court. One looks into possible irregularities in the transfer of nearly $70 million from private bank Banco Master to the film Dark Horse, a biopic about his father. The other investigates alleged money laundering. His parliamentary immunity ends on 31 January, when his eight-year Senate term expires.