Brazil has been plunged into fresh political turmoil after defeated presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro reportedly fled to the United States, defying a Supreme Court order to surrender his passports. The far-right senator’s departure comes just days after his election defeat to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, raising questions about his legal future and threatening to deepen tensions between Brasília and Washington.
Departure confirmed by associates and US sources
Bolsonaro, 45, left Brazil on Tuesday, according to sources close to the senator and American officials cited by Reuters.
His disappearance followed a 24-hour deadline imposed by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, requiring him to surrender his ordinary and diplomatic passports.
Brazilian Federal Police subsequently cancelled the documents after Bolsonaro failed to comply.
Reports suggested he may have crossed into Argentina before continuing towards the United States, although Brazilian authorities initially found no official record of his departure.
Reuters+1
Election defeat triggers political crisis
Bolsonaro lost Sunday’s presidential runoff to incumbent President Lula, despite leading the first round earlier in October.
He initially questioned the election outcome before indicating that he intended to lead the parliamentary opposition.
On Monday, Bolsonaro publicly denied any intention of leaving Brazil, describing the judicial proceedings against him as politically motivated.
His sudden departure has therefore intensified speculation about his intentions.
Money-laundering investigation
The passport order forms part of a criminal investigation involving alleged financial misconduct and possible connections to money laundering associated with Brazil’s online gambling industry.
Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing and has characterised the allegations as an attempt to intimidate political opponents.
Justice Moraes cited concerns that the senator could leave Brazil during the investigation.
Washington prepares to receive Bolsonaro
A senior US State Department official confirmed that Bolsonaro and his family would receive American visas.
The development could complicate relations between Lula’s government and President Donald Trump’s administration, which has previously criticised Brazilian judicial proceedings involving the Bolsonaro family.
AP News+1
A political dynasty under pressure
Flávio’s departure echoes events involving his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who travelled to the United States following his 2022 election defeat.
The elder Bolsonaro was subsequently convicted for his involvement in an attempted coup.
With Lula preparing another presidential term, Flávio Bolsonaro’s departure leaves Brazil’s conservative opposition confronting an uncertain future and another potentially explosive legal confrontation.
NewsHub Finance | Politics | 28 October 2026
Brazil has been plunged into fresh political turmoil after defeated presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro reportedly fled to the United States, defying a Supreme Court order to surrender his passports. The far-right senator's departure comes just days after his election defeat to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, raising questions about his legal future and threatening to deepen tensions between Brasília and Washington.
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