Senator Flávio Bolsonaro arrived at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport on Wednesday after departing Brazil following his defeat in the presidential runoff against incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Reports from The Guardian noted that upon landing, Bolsonaro was escorted away by police without making any public statements. A press conference is anticipated either later Wednesday or the following day.
A senior official from the U.S. State Department confirmed that Bolsonaro's family would be granted U.S. visas, with former President Donald Trump also stating he would support their relocation.
Bolsonaro is currently under investigation for his alleged involvement in a money-laundering operation valued at approximately $905 million that pertains to betting companies. In light of the election outcome, Brazil's Federal Police requested the Supreme Federal Court (STF) to seize his passports due to concerns he might flee the country. Justice Alexandre de Moraes mandated that Bolsonaro surrender both his civilian and diplomatic passports and prohibited him from exiting Brazil. When he did not comply by 11 a.m. on Tuesday, police took action to invalidate them.
Investigators are probing claims that Bolsonaro co-owned betting firms with lawyer Willer Tomaz, who himself is also under investigation. Tomaz is recognized as the sole proprietor of Rede Loto, which operates BestBet along with two other licensed brands in Rio de Janeiro. An article from Piauí magazine suggested that Bolsonaro was a concealed partner in these businesses.
Financial records for BestBet have raised eyebrows, revealing that the brand generated just over BRL360,000 ($67,275) over nearly two years, a stark contrast to the BRL5 million it spent on securing its state license. Notably, the company conducted no marketing efforts. Meanwhile, Tomaz reportedly placed over BRL10 billion in sports wagers through Blaze, earning the title of Brazil's largest gambler from the country’s betting regulator, the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA).
Both Bolsonaro and Tomaz reportedly had exclusive access to a Santander account, although both individuals have denied any wrongdoing. Investigators have highlighted a message in which Tomaz requested the bank to revoke Bolsonaro's access.
Following the election, Bolsonaro was unaccounted for for over a day. Argentine migration officials later indicated that he had crossed into Argentina by land on Tuesday evening. He is said to have taken off from Puerto Iguazú with his wife and two daughters around 11:30 p.m. The flight route took the family to Guayaquil, Ecuador, deliberately avoiding Brazilian airspace before continuing on to Miami.
Citing Brazilian publication O Globo, The Guardian reported that Bolsonaro's escape was organized weeks prior in anticipation of a potential loss. His brother Eduardo, currently living in voluntary exile in the United States, played a significant role in orchestrating the exit. The Federal Police have faced significant criticism for allowing him to depart.
In response to Bolsonaro's flight, Lula referred to the incident as “shameful.” Since Bolsonaro lost the election, the ongoing investigations will remain with the Supreme Court. According to a ruling made in 2025, crimes connected to a politician’s tenure stay within the court's jurisdiction even if the individual is no longer in office. Had Bolsonaro won the election, he would have been shielded from prosecution for acts committed outside of his presidency due to protections outlined in the Brazilian Constitution.
