Reports: Flávio Bolsonaro flees to United States after Brazil election defeat

Brazilian senator Flávio Bolsonaro was reportedly travelling to the United States with his wife and two daughters on Tuesday, amid reports he intends to seek political asylum in the United States.

Bolsonaro, 45, is expected to request asylum from US President Donald Trump following his defeat by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brazil’s presidential election.

The Reuters news agency confirmed that Bolsonaro was heading to the US, citing sources close to his family. His daughters reportedly missed school in Brasília on Tuesday.

The New York Times, CNN and other outlets later said he had left Brazil, citing unnamed US officials.

Liberal Party (PL) deputy Mauricio Marcon said in a video posted on social media that Bolsonaro “has taken a flight and is heading into exile in the United States."

“Like María Corina Machado when she fled Nicolás Maduro’s dictatorship in Venezuela, Flávio Bolsonaro, the defeated candidate in the election, is also seeking asylum in another country,” Marcon said.

There has been no official confirmation that Bolsonaro has arrived in the United States or has formally requested asylum.

'Calming his thoughts'

The senator had been out of contact since Tuesday morning. His last message to Rogério Marinho, his campaign coordinator, was reportedly sent at 8am, when he said he was “calming his thoughts.”

The reported departure came after Bolsonaro allegedly failed to comply with an order from Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes to surrender all his passports, including foreign documents, to the Federal Police within 24 hours. His diplomatic documents had already been cancelled.

The order was issued as part of an investigation into suspected money-laundering involving Bolsonaro and lawyer Willer Tomaz.

Brazilian media outlets Folha de S.Paulo and Metrópoles reported that Bolsonaro had left the country on a flight to the US, citing sources close to his family. 

Early Tuesday, Argentina’s Infobae website reported that Bolsonaro may have crossed into Misiones Province using his national identity card before boarding a private jet bound for the US from Puerto Iguazú.

According to the report, a Gulfstream G400 operated by Argentine company Baires Fly SA was scheduled to depart at 2am local time on Tuesday. The aircraft had arrived in Puerto Iguazú from Buenos Aires, Infobae reported, citing flight-tracking information.

However, the aircraft’s departure and Bolsonaro’s alleged crossing into Argentina remain unconfirmed.

Argentine denials

Argentina's National Security Ministry and migration authorities on Tuesday denied local media reports that Bolsonaro had entered the neighbouring country.

President Javier Milei’s spokesperson said the government had no knowledge of Bolsonaro entering Argentine territory.

Bolsonaro is being investigated in a separate case known as Dark Horse, in which Daniel Vorcaro, the former owner of Banco Master, is suspected of transferring around 61 million reais at the senator’s request to finance a biographical film about his father, jailed former president Jair Bolsonaro.

Vorcaro is currently in prison.

Federal Police are investigating suspected money-laundering, tax evasion, corruption and other possible offences in connection with the case. The allegations have not been proven.

Flávio Bolsonaro’s Senate term is due to end in February 2027, bringing to a close 24 years in office, according to Brazilian media reports. With it, he would lose immunity.

Brother blames left

His brother Eduardo Bolsonaro, a former federal deputy who has been living in the US since February 2025, dismissed reports of Flávio’s departure as false in comments to Brazilian news portal UOL.

“That is the left trying to justify actions against him,” Eduardo said in a WhatsApp message.

Eduardo faces legal proceedings in Brazil over alleged efforts to persuade Washington to impose sanctions on Brazilian officials and economic sectors. Prosecutors say the campaign was intended to interfere with judicial proceedings involving their father.

Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison in September 2025 for plotting a coup to remain in power after losing the 2022 presidential election. He was later granted house arrest on health grounds.

– TIMES/PERFIL/NA