Brazilian political drama unfolds as defeated Flavio Bolsonaro arrives in Miami

Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, left Brazil for the United States after losing the presidential election to incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on October 25, 2026. The move came following an order by Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes to confiscate his passports to prevent him from leaving the country. Despite this, Flávio reportedly fled Brazil and arrived in Florida on October 27, though reports differ on whether he officially requested asylum or was simply visiting. The U.S. State Department subsequently issued a visa for Bolsonaro and his family. This departure sparked widespread criticism and viral memes mocking his flight among Brazilians. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later clarified that Washington was not directly involved in arranging Bolsonaro’s exit from Brazil.