The United States has confirmed it will grant visas to Flavio Bolsonaro, the defeated Brazilian presidential candidate, and his family, allowing them entry into the country. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to visa privacy laws, said the State Department would issue the visas and permit their arrival.
Bolsonaro's movements have been shrouded in uncertainty since he left Brazil, despite a court order prohibiting him from travelling abroad. Argentine authorities reported on Wednesday that the 45-year-old had entered Argentina with valid travel documents and no legal impediment. According to the country's migration agency, Bolsonaro travelled with his wife and two daughters on a private flight operated by Baires Fly S.A., bound for Guayaquil, Ecuador. The aircraft made a brief stop in Ecuador before reportedly continuing to an undisclosed destination.
Earlier, US media outlets including CNN and The Washington Post, citing anonymous sources, had reported that Bolsonaro had arrived in the United States on Tuesday, though the exact location was not revealed.
Why is Bolsonaro fleeing Brazil?
Bolsonaro, who received tacit support from US President Donald Trump, faces investigations in Brazil for alleged corruption, money laundering, and tax evasion. Following his election loss to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, he was ordered to surrender his passport and is expected to lose his parliamentary immunity.
Bolsonaro has maintained close ties with Trump, having visited the White House in May. Trump, who did not formally endorse Bolsonaro in the runoff, said on Wednesday that he would welcome him to the United States, describing him and his family as "fine people."
The visa decision comes amid broader political turbulence in Brazil, where Lula's victory has been celebrated across the continent. European leaders have expressed relief at the outcome, viewing it as a stabilising force for Latin America. The result also marks a shift in the region's political landscape, halting the conservative wave that had swept through countries like Chile and Argentina.
Bolsonaro's departure raises questions about the legal proceedings he faces in Brazil. His exit, despite the travel ban, has prompted scrutiny from Brazilian authorities, who are investigating how he managed to leave the country. Reports suggest he may have used a route through Argentina, a neighbouring nation with which Brazil shares a porous border.
The situation has drawn attention in Europe, where observers are monitoring the implications for democratic norms and the rule of law in the region. The European Union has traditionally emphasised the importance of judicial independence and accountability, and Bolsonaro's flight could be seen as an attempt to evade justice.
Meanwhile, Lula's administration is preparing to take office, with a focus on rebuilding international relations and addressing domestic challenges. The new government has pledged to tackle corruption and restore institutional credibility, a stark contrast to the Bolsonaro era.
As Bolsonaro's whereabouts remain unclear, the international community watches closely. His potential arrival in the United States could complicate diplomatic relations, particularly given Trump's supportive stance. The visa issuance, while routine in some respects, carries political weight in the context of ongoing investigations.
For now, the former candidate's future remains uncertain, but his departure marks a significant chapter in Brazil's political history. The coming weeks will reveal whether he will face the legal consequences of his actions or find refuge abroad.
