Brazil's Election Loser Flávio Bolsonaro Reportedly Leaves for the US

Flávio Bolsonaro, a Brazilian senator who lost the country's presidential election, left Brazil on Tuesday and arrived in the United States, US media reported. He lost Sunday's runoff to incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The reports raise questions because the 45-year-old politician is under several investigations in Brazil and is barred from leaving the country.

What the media report

CNN and The Washington Post, citing an unnamed source, said Bolsonaro reached the US on Tuesday evening. The New York Times, CNN and other outlets also reported his departure, citing unnamed US officials. His exact whereabouts remain unknown.

The US State Department said it would issue visas to Bolsonaro and his family and "allow them to travel to the US", but did not confirm whether they are actually going. Media had earlier reported his arrival in neighbouring Argentina, but Argentina's Security Ministry and immigration authorities denied this.

Investigations and restrictions

Bolsonaro's passports have been annulled, but he has not surrendered them to the authorities. Brazilian police are investigating him for corruption linked to the financing of the biographical film "Dark Horse", dedicated to his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro. He will lose his parliamentary immunity when his Senate term ends in January.

According to an Italian parliament document seen by AFP, Bolsonaro has also held Italian citizenship since 2023.

Reaction to the election result

Bolsonaro has not conceded and has pledged to challenge the result in court, but his party and allies have accepted it. His campaign manager, Rogério Marinho, said he was shocked by the reports that Bolsonaro had left Brazil. "We have no information yet about his whereabouts," he told reporters in Brazil on Tuesday.