Brazil demands answers from US and Argentina over Bolsonaro ally’s flight

Bolsonaro, 45, arrived in Florida on Wednesday aboard a private jet, following a circuitous route through Argentina and Ecuador. He is the son of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro.

Flavio Bolsonaro was defeated by incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the presidential election’s runoff. His defeat surprised many, as he led in the initial round.

Brazilian authorities had previously annulled Bolsonaro’s passports as part of an investigation into suspected money laundering. He has refused to concede the election, alleging “election fraud,” despite denials from his own party and the electoral justice system. He claims to be leading the opposition from exile in the United States.

Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Argentina’s representative in Brasilia to request explanations after Bolsonaro transited through Argentine territory. A Brazilian diplomatic source indicated the meeting was a “standard procedure.” However, Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno later denied Brazil had requested any explanations.

According to Argentina’s immigration authorities, Bolsonaro entered Argentina by land from Brazil and boarded a private plane from Puerto Iguazu on Tuesday evening. A senior Argentine government official dismissed any suggestion of irregularities in his passage.

Bolsonaro, whose Brazilian and diplomatic passports had been invalidated, reportedly traveled using an Italian passport, according to a flight document reviewed by AFP.

Brazil previously recalled its ambassador and downgraded diplomatic relations with Buenos Aires several months ago, following repeated insults from Javier Milei, who has publicly called Lula a “thief” and “corrupt.” Milei, a staunch ally of Donald Trump, is a leading ultra-liberal figure in Latin America.

President Trump has also weighed in, stating Thursday that the Brazilian election was “a shame for the Brazilian people.”

A group of Democratic lawmakers has requested that the Trump administration provide explanations regarding Bolsonaro’s flight, according to a letter released by Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove. The letter questions whether U.S. agencies assisted Bolsonaro in traveling to and entering the United States.

Former First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro addressed the situation on Instagram Friday, describing “difficult times.” Her husband, Jair Bolsonaro, is currently under house arrest in Brasilia after being sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting a coup following his 2022 election defeat by Lula.

Michelle Bolsonaro, who was recently elected senator, stated, “My husband emphasizes that the time is for unity, not for seeking culprits,” and referred to her husband as “our leader.”

Shortly after arriving in the United States on Wednesday, Flavio Bolsonaro presented himself as the true “leader” of Brazil in a social media letter, a move that drew criticism both at home and within his own political circles. The president of the Liberal Party, Bolsonaro’s family’s political party, stated that “no one approved” of the letter after visiting Bolsonaro senior.