Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has arrived in the United States days after losing his bid for reelection to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Sunday. Reports of Bolsonaro’s departure from Brazil surfaced Tuesday, prompting inquiries from Brazilian authorities regarding the whereabouts of his son, Flávio Bolsonaro, who is also reported to have traveled to Florida. The State Department has confirmed it will allow Bolsonaro and his family to enter the U.S. and issue them visas.
Bolsonaro’s arrival follows a contested election, with former President Donald Trump, without evidence, suggesting the election “looked like another rigged election.” Bolsonaro is currently under investigation in Brazil concerning a sports betting case and a probe into a film about his father. According to two U.S. officials familiar with the matter, the Trump administration had anticipated Flávio Bolsonaro would attempt to travel to the U.S. after the election.
Brazilian authorities were unaware of Flávio Bolsonaro’s location and were investigating whether he had fled to the U.S., according to sources familiar with the investigation. Rightwing politician and son of jailed ex-president Jair Bolsonaro arrived in Florida on Tuesday evening.
Our reading is that the departure of both Jair and Flávio Bolsonaro to the U.S. suggests a pattern of seeking refuge from legal challenges in Brazil, mirroring the events following the 2022 election. The U.S. State Department’s willingness to issue visas, despite ongoing investigations, indicates a degree of political consideration. The prior anticipation from the Trump administration regarding Flávio Bolsonaro’s travel further suggests a pre-existing understanding or accommodation of these movements.
Read the original coverage
💬 Comments
📜 Comment Policy