Bolsonsoa Arrives in Miami as Brazil Cancels His Passport

Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro touched down in Miami on Wednesday, ending a period of uncertainty regarding his whereabouts. His arrival in Florida followed his loss in the presidential runoff held earlier in the week. The move places him in the same state as his father, Jair Bolsonaro, who has resided in Florida since December 2022.

The United States State Department confirmed it would issue visas to the senator and the family members who traveled with him. Brazilian authorities had previously cancelled his passport because he failed to hand it over to investigators. Officials are currently pursuing a criminal investigation against him, a process he says is driven by political persecution. He maintains that he is innocent of all charges.

After landing, the senator released a statement declaring himself the true elected president of Brazil. He expressed gratitude to the American government and the American public for admitting his family. He also thanked the presidents of Argentina and the United States. He stated that leaving his homeland was not his original plan but that he understood the direction in which events were heading.

He described the situation as a coup and accused those who won the election of belonging to a criminal organization. He argued that this group has established a tyranny. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who won the runoff on Sunday, criticized the departure. Lula noted that individuals who have nothing to hide have no reason to fear. He contrasted this with the actions taken by the senator’s legal team.

Confusion over the senator’s location began with reports from an Argentine news site. The outlet claimed he had crossed the land border into Argentina and boarded a private plane. Brazilian police checked border crossings early on Tuesday but found no evidence he had left the country. Argentine officials also stated they had no record of a crossing. When the senator missed a 24-hour deadline to surrender his passports, authorities cancelled them and instructed police to monitor border posts.

Sources close to the family later indicated he was heading to the United States. Three people close to the family told BBC Brasil and BBC Mundo that he had already arrived. Hours after these claims, Argentine migration authorities reported that Bolsonaro, his wife, and their two daughters had crossed into Argentina by land on Tuesday night. US President Donald Trump, when asked about the matter, said he had heard the senator was in Argentina.

Flight tracking data verified by the BBC shows the family left Puerto Iguazú in Argentina at 12:18 local time on Wednesday. The private jet traveled to Guayaquil, Ecuador, for a brief stop before continuing to Miami. The family was photographed disembarking at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport shortly before 09:30 local time. Aides used umbrellas to shield the senator from photographers as he stepped off the plane.

The senator faces two pending investigations at Brazil's Supreme Federal Court. One inquiry examines possible irregularities in the transfer of nearly $70 million from private bank Banco Master to the film Dark Horse. The other investigates alleged money laundering. He denies both counts. His parliamentary immunity will expire on 31 January, when his eight-year Senate term ends.