Flávio Bolsonaro arrives in Miami after leaving Brazil through Argentina and Ecuador

Key points

• Flávio Bolsonaro reached Miami after travelling through Argentina and Ecuador.
• He left Brazil despite a Supreme Court order restricting his travel.
• The journey followed his presidential election defeat to Lula.

Flávio Bolsonaro, the defeated candidate in Brazil's presidential election, arrived in the United States on Wednesday, October 28, after crossing into Argentina by road and taking a private flight through Ecuador, according to Reuters and Argentine immigration authorities.

Bolsonaro travelled with his wife and two daughters, crossing the Tancredo Neves International Bridge between Brazil and Argentina late on Tuesday.

Argentina's immigration department confirmed that the family entered the country at 10:50 p.m. local time using valid travel documents. About 40 minutes later, they boarded a private aircraft at Puerto Iguazú airport, bound for Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Flight-tracking data cited by Reuters showed the Gulfstream aircraft departing Puerto Iguazú shortly after midnight and landing in Guayaquil early Wednesday. It then continued to Opa-locka Executive Airport near Miami, where Reuters confirmed Bolsonaro's arrival.

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The journey came after Brazil's Supreme Court ordered Bolsonaro to surrender his passports and prohibited him from leaving the country amid investigations into alleged financial crimes. Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing and had previously said he intended to comply with the order.

The senator lost Sunday's presidential runoff to Lula, who secured approximately 51.8% of valid votes against Bolsonaro's 48.2%. He has refused to concede defeat, although his Liberal Party has recognised the result.

US President Donald Trump said he would approve Bolsonaro's entry into the United States, while American officials confirmed that visas would be issued to his family.

The departure has raised questions about how Bolsonaro crossed the border despite the court restrictions and could increase diplomatic tensions between Brazil and the United States.

Former President Jair Bolsonaro, Flávio's father, remains under house arrest following his conviction for plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election.