Flávio Bolsonaro Flees Brazil for United States Defying Court Travel Ban
The senator's departure creates a diplomatic dispute between Washington and Brasilia following his defeat in Sunday's presidential election.
Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro fled Brazil for the United States on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. He defied a foreign travel ban and an order to surrender his travel documents. Bolsonaro was the runner-up in Sunday's presidential election.
Bolsonaro was traveling to Miami on a private flight with his wife and two daughters, according to political allies. Brazilian sources said he planned to enter the United States using an Italian passport he obtained in 2023.
Brazilian Federal Police said there was no record of Bolsonaro leaving through an official border post. Infobae reported he entered Argentina at Puerto Iguazú around 2:00 a.m. using his national identity card before arranging a flight.
Argentine immigration authorities said they had no record of his entry or approved flight manifests. Argentine broadcaster Todo Noticias reported that Bolsonaro crossed the frontier on foot.
Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes had ordered Bolsonaro to surrender his passports within 24 hours. Federal Police confirmed Bolsonaro missed the Tuesday morning deadline and cancelled his passports in police databases.
The court also barred Bolsonaro from contacting lawyer Willer Tomaz. The measures stem from an investigation into an alleged money laundering scheme involving betting companies worth about $905 million.
Police are also examining Bolsonaro's ties to the former owner of Banco Master, which regulators liquidated in late 2025. Bolsonaro's senatorial immunity ends in February, which will lower legal barriers to an indictment.
Bolsonaro lost the presidential election on Sunday to incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro claimed the election was irregular and demanded its annulment, though his Liberal Party recognized Lula's victory on Monday.
In a video released Monday, Bolsonaro said he never considered fleeing and would surrender his documents. However, his brother Eduardo Bolsonaro, who lives in the United States, previously urged him to flee if he lost.
Allies said Bolsonaro plans to seek political asylum from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump said the election appeared problematic and looked rigged, while adding he had taken no side. The U.S. Embassy declined to comment.
Lawmakers from Lula's Workers' Party urged the Supreme Court to issue an arrest warrant and seek an Interpol Red Notice. His father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, previously received a 27-year sentence under house arrest for plotting a coup.
Federal Police are scheduled to present a formal non-compliance report to Moraes confirming Bolsonaro's border crossing. Sources close to the court said Moraes is likely to convert the travel ban into a preventative detention order.
