Flávio Bolsonaro, the Brazilian senator and son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, departed Brazil after suffering defeat in the presidential runoff against Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Sunday. His private jet landed at Miami-Opa Locka executive airport on Wednesday, where he was swiftly driven away by police without making any statements. A press conference is expected to occur either on Wednesday or Thursday.
A senior official from the U.S. State Department indicated that Bolsonaro’s family would be granted U.S. visas, a move supported by former President Donald Trump, who announced he would approve their relocation on Tuesday evening.
Bolsonaro is currently embroiled in at least two criminal investigations, with one centering on allegations of his involvement in a money-laundering operation linked to betting companies, reportedly worth around $905 million.
In light of these allegations, the Federal Police requested that Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF) suspend his passports due to concerns he might flee the country. Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered Bolsonaro to surrender both his civilian and diplomatic passports, imposing a ban on him leaving Brazil. However, as of 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Bolsonaro had not complied, prompting police to cancel his passports.
Investigators suspect that Bolsonaro covertly co-owned betting enterprises with lawyer Willer Tomaz, who himself is under scrutiny. Tomaz controls Rede Loto, which is behind BestBet and two other betting brands licensed in Rio de Janeiro. Reports from Piauí magazine suggest that Bolsonaro was a hidden partner in these operations.
Questions regarding BestBet's financial activities have been raised; within a span of nearly two years, the brand generated just over BRL360,000 ($67,275) – a figure that is significantly less than its BRL5 million state licensing fee. Additionally, BestBet did not engage in any marketing efforts. Meanwhile, Tomaz reportedly wagered over BRL10 billion on sports through Blaze, earning him the title of Brazil’s largest gambler from the country's betting regulator, the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA).
Authorities also claim that both men had privileged access to a Santander bank account. Though both deny these claims, investigators have pointed to communications from Tomaz requesting the bank to revoke Bolsonaro's access.
Following his electoral loss, Bolsonaro remained out of sight for over a day. Argentine migration authorities confirmed that he entered Argentina by land on Tuesday night. Reports indicate he boarded the jet at Puerto Iguazú around 11:30 p.m. that same night, accompanied by his wife and two daughters. The flight then proceeded to Guayaquil, Ecuador, reportedly avoiding Brazilian airspace before finally heading to Miami.
Brazilian newspaper O Globo revealed that this escape plan had been in the works for weeks, anticipating a potential loss in the election, orchestrated chiefly by his brother Eduardo, who currently resides in self-imposed exile in the United States. The Federal Police have faced scrutiny for allowing Bolsonaro to leave.
Lula condemned the flight as "shameful," emphasizing the ramifications of Bolsonaro's loss in the election. As a result, the ongoing criminal investigations will remain with the Supreme Court, given a ruling in 2025 that stipulates crimes connected to a politician's term persist even after they leave office. Had Bolsonaro secured victory, he would have enjoyed protection under Brazil's Constitution, which prevents the prosecution of a sitting president for actions taken outside their term.
