Defeated right-wing presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro boarded a private flight to Ecuador after entering Argentina, following a Brazilian Supreme Court order to surrender his passports amid a money-laundering investigation, according to government statements and news reports.
Argentina Migration Confirms Private Flight to Ecuador
Mr. Bolsonaro entered Argentina with valid travel documents and no legal impediment before boarding a private flight operated by Baires Fly S.A. bound for Guayaquil, Ecuador, Argentina’s National Directorate of Migration reported. Data from Flightradar24 showed the aircraft took off just after midnight local time from Puerto Iguazu in the country’s northeast, rte.ie reported. Baires Fly did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Brazilian Supreme Court Cancels Passports and Orders Surrender
The travel developments occurred hours after Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered Mr. Bolsonaro to surrender his passports within 24 hours and banned him from leaving the country. Justice Alexandre de Moraes issued the ruling amid an ongoing criminal investigation by federal police into a money-laundering scheme involving approximately £680m linked to betting companies, as well as a separate probe regarding £20m requested for a biopic about his father. Mr. Bolsonaro’s lawyers told the BBC they were completely in the dark about his whereabouts after he missed the surrender deadline. His term in the Senate ends early next year, which will strip him of the parliamentary immunity he currently holds.
US State Department Issues Visas Amid Arrival Reports
US media citing anonymous sources reported that Mr. Bolsonaro arrived in the United States, where he reportedly met with his brother Eduardo Bolsonaro in Florida, the BBC reported. A senior US State Department official confirmed that the agency would issue entry visas to Mr. Bolsonaro and his family, though officials did not confirm specific travel plans. President Donald Trump told reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews that he approved of Mr. Bolsonaro coming to the US, noting that he had heard the senator was in Argentina and remarking that the Brazilian election was very strange.
Lula Secures Historic Run-Off Victory as Bolsonaro Contests Results
The travel developments follow a closely contested run-off election in which veteran incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured 51.79% of the vote compared to Mr. Bolsonaro’s 48.21%, according to electoral court data cited by the BBC. Mr. Bolsonaro refused to concede defeat, calling for the election to be annulled because a Supreme Court justice extended polling hours by two hours due to transport difficulties. Election winner Lula described reports of Mr. Bolsonaro’s departure as shameful, according to Sky News, while Mr. Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party acknowledged the official result despite calling for an investigation into the voting time extension.
Federal Police Investigate Flávio Bolsonaro over Money Laundering Allegations
What specific investigations does Flávio Bolsonaro face in Brazil?
Federal police are investigating Mr. Bolsonaro over alleged money laundering linked to approximately £680m associated with betting companies, along with a separate inquiry into £20m requested for a film about his father. He denies any wrongdoing.
How did Mr. Bolsonaro travel out of Brazil?
Argentina’s National Directorate of Migration stated that Mr. Bolsonaro entered Argentina with valid travel documents and boarded a private flight operated by Baires Fly S.A. from Puerto Iguazu bound for Guayaquil, Ecuador, rte.ie reported.
What was the final vote tally in the Brazilian election?
According to Brazil’s electoral court, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won the run-off election with 51.79% of the vote, defeating Mr. Bolsonaro, who finished with 48.21% after trailing by approximately 4.4 million votes, the BBC reported.
🇧🇷 Flavio Bolsonaro parte rumbo a Ecuador, según datos oficiales argentinosEl senador entró en el país por vía terrestre, cruzando el Puente Internacional Tancredo Neves, según la Dirección Nacional de Migraciones del Gobierno argentino.Así, el político, su esposa Fernanda y… https://t.co/TTLUqIAe7c pic.twitter.com/MjyK685TwI
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