Bolsonaro son flees Brazil, receives US entry with allies’ aid

His departure mirrors that of his father, who relocated to the United States after losing to Lula in 2022. Bolsonaro expressed gratitude to Argentine leader Javier Milei for facilitating his journey and to former U.S. president Donald Trump for granting his family entry visas.

While Trump did not formally endorse Flavio Bolsonaro’s candidacy, allies within his network in Latin America were instrumental in ensuring his safe passage across borders. The senator’s whereabouts remained a mystery until Wednesday, when a Baires Fly flight departed from Puerto Iguazu airport.

Flight tracking data revealed a complex route, initially to Guayaquil, Ecuador, a nation aligned with U.S. policy under the Trump administration. Ecuador, led by Daniel Noboa, has been praised by U.S. officials for its cooperation in combating drug trafficking and criminal groups.

Argentina also received financial assistance from Washington late last year, with Trump offering a $20 billion lifeline to support its economy and endorsing President Javier Milei for re-election.

Policy analyst Michael Shifter noted that Bolsonaro’s case highlights a growing bloc of right-leaning countries in Latin America prioritizing relationships with Washington over adherence to international legal frameworks.

Flavio Bolsonaro was greeted in the United States by his brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro, a former lawmaker residing in the U.S. Jair Bolsonaro, the elder statesman, previously received Trump’s support and remains subject to a 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup. Trump has previously questioned the fairness of Brazilian elections and expressed approval of Flavio’s potential move to the U.S.

Bolsonaro’s departure is likely to exacerbate tensions between Brazil and the United States, the region’s two largest nations. Lula da Silva has accused Washington of conspiring with the Bolsonaros to reinstate them to power.