From TIME · Miranda Jeyaretnam · · 3m
Bolsonaro's son flees Brazil for Miami, defying court order
Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro left the country after losing the election, ignoring a Supreme Court order to surrender his passports in a money laundering investigation.
In brief
Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro left the country after losing the election, ignoring a Supreme Court order to surrender his passports in a money laundering investigation. Flávio Bolsonaro fled Brazil to Miami after defying a court order to surrender his passports amid a money laundering investigation, days after…
Senator flees to Miami
Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro arrived in Miami on Wednesday after fleeing Brazil in defiance of a court order to surrender his passports amid a money laundering investigation.
Route through South America
Bolsonaro traveled from northern Argentina to the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil. From there, he, his wife and two daughters flew to Miami, exiting a private jet at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport.
Trump approves his arrival
President Donald Trump told reporters he would approve of Bolsonaro coming to the U.S., saying I think they're fine people.U.S.officials told media outlets the State Department would grant Bolsonaro and his family entry visas.
“I think they're fine people”
Court order and investigation
A Brazilian Supreme Court justice had ordered federal police to open a probe into possible illegal foreign financing of Bolsonaro's presidential campaign, including alleged ties to U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance's donor network.
Initial promise to comply
Bolsonaro initially said he would comply with Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes's order to surrender his passports.
Public statement on Monday
In a social media video Monday, Bolsonaro said I have never thought about leaving the country and I will hand over my passports and defend myself against this travesty, which is a clear attempt to…
“I have never thought about leaving the country. I will hand over my passports and defend myself against this travesty, which is a clear attempt to intimidate me.”
Missed deadline, fled anyway
Bolsonaro did not comply with the order to hand over his passport by the court's twenty-four-hour deadline on Tuesday morning.
Lula calls it shameful
Lula called Bolsonaro's flight from Brazil a shameful act. He added those who have nothing to hide have nothing to fear, recalling his own arrest in two thousand eighteen on charges of passive corruption and…
“Those who have nothing to hide have nothing to fear”
Broader investigation details
The inquiry stems from a federal probe into unauthorized deductions from pension payments made by Brazil's social security agency, launched in April two thousand twenty-five.
Italian passport escape route
AFP reported that Bolsonaro's Brazilian and diplomatic passports were canceled, but he has held Italian nationality since two thousand twenty-three.
Father's conviction and context
De Moraes was the lead justice in last year's trial of Jair Bolsonaro, Flávio's father.
Brother also convicted
In June, a Supreme Court panel unanimously convicted Eduardo Bolsonaro, Flávio's brother, of coercion in judicial proceedings.
The key point
Flávio Bolsonaro fled Brazil to Miami after defying a court order to surrender his passports amid a money laundering investigation, days after his father's ally lost the presidential election.
