From Buenos Aires Times · Agustino Fontevecchia · · 1m 50s
Bolsonaro's Escape and the Gaucho James Bond Thriller
Flávio Bolsonaro flees Brazil after losing election, aided by Argentina's Milei administration and Trump.
In brief
Flávio Bolsonaro flees Brazil after losing election, aided by Argentina's Milei administration and Trump. Flávio Bolsonaro escaped Brazil after losing the presidential election with help from Argentina's President Milei and Trump, sparking political tensions. Originally reported by Buenos Aires Times.
Bolsonaro barred from leaving Brazil
Flávio Bolsonaro lost Brazil’s run-off election and was barred from leaving the country, ordered to surrender his passport by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
Bolsonaro's escape plan
Flávio crossed into Argentina via the Tancredo Neves Bridge, entered legally with valid documentation, and boarded a private jet owned by Baires Fly SA.
Milei's role in escape
President Javier Milei and political advisor Santiago Caputo led the operation to get Flávio to Miami via Ecuador, avoiding Brazilian airspace.
The Gulfstream flight
Flávio and his family flew on a Gulfstream G400 with tail number LV-JQW, paid for by a US broker at US$140,000.
Infobae's early leak
Infobae published an article identifying the Gulfstream G400 with tail number LV-JQW less than 24 hours before the escape.
Caputo's convoy stopped
Santiago Caputo’s convoy was stopped by Highway Patrol in Capiovi, 200 kilometres from Iguazú, with vehicles linked to the Yacyretá dam.
Flávio's letter revisions
Flávio had to rewrite his letter three times, changing his claim from 'President of Brazil' to 'leader of Brazil' to avoid legal issues.
Trump's response
Trump said the electoral process was corrupted but would not get involved beyond allowing Bolsonaro to enter the US.
Milei's political stance
Argentina's Milei administration did not acknowledge Lula’s victory but actively helped Flávio escape, risking tensions with Brazil.
The operation's flaws
The escape operation was flawed, with Caputo’s convoy stopped by Highway Patrol and Infobae leaking details early.
Political consequences
The sequence of events shows the Supreme Court’s politically motivated timing and sloppy execution of the escape operation.
The essence
Flávio Bolsonaro escaped Brazil after losing the presidential election with help from Argentina's President Milei and Trump, sparking political tensions.
