BRASÍLIA — Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro had his passports cancelled on Tuesday, October 27, after failing to comply with a Supreme Court order to surrender his travel documents within 24 hours. The order was issued as part of an ongoing money-laundering investigation, which Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing in.
Brazilian authorities confirmed there is no formal record of Flavio Bolsonaro leaving the country, despite reports suggesting he may have fled to the United States. Argentine migration authorities also denied local media claims that he had entered Argentina. His whereabouts remain unconfirmed as of Tuesday evening.
Immediate Actions & Legal Context
On Monday, October 26, Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered Bolsonaro to hand over his passports by Tuesday afternoon as part of a broader probe into alleged financial irregularities. The investigation includes scrutiny over the financing of the biopic Dark Horse, a film about his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest for plotting a coup against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Bolsonaro publicly stated in a Monday video that he had been banned from leaving Brazil and was ordered to surrender his passports. He claimed the restriction stemmed from a comment made by his brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro, who suggested in a US podcast that if Flavio did not win the election, he should leave the country.
Election Aftermath & Political Response
Flavio Bolsonaro lost the presidential runoff to Lula on Sunday, October 25, by approximately 4.4 million votes. His Liberal Party officially acknowledged Lula’s victory on Monday, though Bolsonaro himself has refused to concede, alleging voter irregularities and calling for the election results to be annulled.
In a separate development, Brazil’s Supreme Court also ordered a probe into Flavio Bolsonaro’s electoral campaign over alleged foreign funding. His senatorial term is set to end in January 2027, at which point he will lose parliamentary immunity, exposing him further to legal scrutiny.
International Reactions & Speculation
Multiple reports suggested Bolsonaro may have fled to the US, with US media citing unnamed sources claiming he boarded a flight to the country. However, no official confirmation has been provided by US or Brazilian authorities. The US embassy in Brazil declined to comment, and Bolsonaro’s lawyer also did not respond to requests for clarification.
Argentine authorities checked a private plane at the Iguazu International Airport on the Brazil-Argentina border after reports surfaced of Bolsonaro’s possible entry, but found no record of his arrival. A spokesperson for Argentine President Javier Milei stated there was no asylum request from Bolsonaro.
Broader Political Fallout
Flavio Bolsonaro’s political isolation has grown since the election, with his party and allies accepting Lula’s victory while he continues to challenge the results. His father, Jair Bolsonaro, remains under house arrest, and Flavio’s legal troubles have intensified following the Supreme Court’s actions.
The Supreme Court’s decision to cancel his passports underscores the escalating legal pressure on Bolsonaro, who faces multiple investigations ahead of the end of his senatorial term.