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The 45-year-old Brazilian politician left the country two days after losing Sunday’s presidential election to incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
US President Donald Trump with Argentina’s President Javier Milei in Miami. (Reuters photo)
Brazil is seeking answers from the United States and Argentina over the circumstances surrounding Senator Flavio Bolsonaro’s escape to the US after his passports were cancelled, putting Presidents Donald Trump and Javier Milei under growing scrutiny.
The 45-year-old Brazilian politician left the country two days after losing Sunday’s presidential election to incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. He had been ordered to surrender his passports amid an investigation into alleged money laundering.
Bolsonaro travelled through Argentina and Ecuador before reaching Florida on Wednesday. Following his arrival, he declared himself Brazil’s rightful “leader” and refused to accept his election defeat.
According to Argentina’s migration authorities, Bolsonaro entered the country by land and boarded a private aircraft from Puerto Iguazu, in the north-east, around 40 minutes later on Tuesday evening.
Although his Brazilian and diplomatic passports had been cancelled, he holds Italian citizenship and reportedly used his Italian passport to board the aircraft.
Brazil Seeks Clarification From Argentina
A Brazilian diplomatic source told AFP that Argentina’s diplomatic representative was called in for a meeting on Thursday to explain the circumstances of Bolsonaro’s departure.
However, Argentina’s Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno rejected the claim that Buenos Aires had received a formal request for information.
“FALSE. There was no request for information,” he wrote on X.
The episode comes amid strained relations between the two neighbours. Brazil recalled its ambassador from Argentina in August after Milei repeatedly criticised Lula, including calling him a “thief” and “corrupt”.
Trump’s Adviser Linked To Private Flight
Questions have also emerged over possible US involvement. Democratic lawmakers have written to Secretary of State Marco Rubio seeking an account of his department’s role in Bolsonaro’s departure.
Luis Grande, head of Baires Fly, the airline that operated the flight, told AFP that a broker based in the US had hired the company.
US media reports have identified the broker as Jason Miller, a Trump adviser. The White House has not commented on the allegations.
Bolsonaro thanked both Trump and Milei in his first public statement after reaching the US. Milei has yet to recognise Lula’s victory, while Trump described the election as “very strange” and a “disgrace”.
Bolsonaro Movement Faces Uncertain Future
Back in Brazil, Bolsonaro’s departure has raised questions about the future leadership of the country’s right-wing movement.
His father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, is serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest for plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election to Lula.
Jair Bolsonaro’s wife, Michelle, recently elected to the Senate, called for unity amid the political uncertainty.
“We are living through difficult times. We need to reflect and only then act,” she said in a social media statement, adding that her husband had urged supporters not to look for people to blame.
(With inputs from AFP)
Quick Answers
Ask News18Despite having his Brazilian and diplomatic passports cancelled and facing a court order to surrender them, Flavio Bolsonaro travelled by land through Argentina and Ecuador before boarding a private aircraft to Florida. Because he holds Italian citizenship, he reportedly used his Italian passport to board the flight.
Ask News18United States of America (USA)
October 31, 2026, 03:44 IST
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