Lost the election, fled to the U.S.: Trump opened doors all the way to the back.

Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who lost the presidential election in Brazil to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, arrived in Miami, Florida, with his family. While an investigation into money laundering against him continued, Bolsonaro, who left his country, announced that he would continue his political struggle from the United States after the Donald Trump administration granted him permission to enter.

According to reports in the U.S. press, the private jet carrying Bolsonaro landed at Miami‑Opa Locka Executive Airport on the morning of Wednesday, October 28. The 45‑year‑old senator arrived in Florida with his wife, Fernanda Antunes Figueira Bolsonaro, and their daughters Carolina and Luiza.

The family that left Brazil reached the United States via Argentina and Ecuador. The trip took place after Bolsonaro refused to comply with the Brazilian Supreme Court's decision to surrender his passports.

Trump Administration Granted the Family a Visa

A senior official from the U.S. Department of State announced on October 27 that Bolsonaro and his family would be granted visas to enter the United States. The following day, Trump confirmed in a statement that he approved the senator's arrival in the U.S.

Trump, who questioned the election results in Brazil, said he found the process to be irregular. Bolsonaro, in turn, thanked Trump and the American public for playing a role in his admission to the United States.

“I didn’t flee from Brazil,” he said.

After arriving in Miami, Bolsonaro said that political pressure was behind his departure from the country. The senator, who argues that the Brazilian judiciary has become politicized, said he came to the United States to protect his family and continue his political activities.

Bolsonaro, who does not accept the election results, reiterated the claim that irregularities occurred during the ballot process. The senator, who maintains he did not flee the country, announced that he would lead the opposition in Brazil from the United States. No independent verification of the claim that irregularities occurred in the elections appeared in the reports.

Despite the passport surrender decision, he left the country.

The Brazilian Supreme Court, within the scope of the investigation, requested that Bolsonaro surrender his passports. Despite the court's decision, the senator's departure from the country sparked political debate in Brazil. President Lula da Silva criticized Bolsonaro's exit from the country, arguing that he should stay in Brazil to prove his innocence.

Money Laundering and Dark Horse File

According to reports in the Brazilian press, Bolsonaro is being investigated under a probe for money laundering. One of the investigations is linked to allegations concerning the financing of the film Dark Horse, which chronicles the life of his father and former president Jair Bolsonaro.

In reports based on police documents, it is alleged that Flavio Bolsonaro played a role in financing negotiations for the film. The senator is also said to be facing investigation over financial transactions allegedly linked to lawyer Willer Tomaz.