Brazil bars him from leaving, but U.S. is granting visas to Flávio Bolsonaro and family
U.S. Visa Decision
A senior U.S. administration official said Tuesday that the State Department would issue visas to Flávio Bolsonaro and his family, permitting them to enter the United States. The announcement came amid reports that Bolsonaro had departed Brazil after losing Sunday’s presidential election.
Brazilian media said Tuesday that Bolsonaro had gone to the United States. His campaign manager, lawyer and other political allies had previously said they did not know where he was, and his location has not been independently confirmed.
Brazil Orders Passport Surrender
Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered Bolsonaro on Monday to turn over his passports within 24 hours and prohibited him from leaving the country. The order followed remarks by his brother Eduardo, who lives in self-imposed exile in Florida, suggesting Flávio leave Brazil if he lost the election.
In a video released Monday, Bolsonaro said federal police had stopped him outside his father’s home and instructed him to surrender his passports. He said he would comply and defend himself, while calling the court order an effort to intimidate him.
Investigations and Election Dispute
Bolsonaro faces several investigations in Brazil, including allegations of money laundering and tax evasion, which he denies. He has not conceded defeat, though his Liberal Party has recognized Lula’s victory.
Lula received just over 51% of valid votes, approximately 64.2 million, while Bolsonaro received more than 48%, nearly 59.8 million. The difference was more than four million votes; Bolsonaro had won the first round three weeks earlier.
Reactions in Brazil and U.S.
President Donald Trump has questioned Lula’s victory, calling the election “rigged” on Monday without presenting evidence. At a Texas rally Tuesday night, Trump again raised election fraud claims while discussing Brazil.
Lula criticized Bolsonaro’s reported departure during his 81st birthday celebrations in Brasília on Tuesday. He said Bolsonaro could have remained in Brazil to challenge the allegations against him and expressed regret that he had left.
Key points
- The State Department says it will issue visas to Flávio Bolsonaro and his family.
- Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered Bolsonaro to surrender his passports and barred him from leaving the country.
- Reports say Bolsonaro traveled to the United States, but his whereabouts remain unconfirmed.
- Lula won Sunday’s election by more than four million votes.