Defeated Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro arrived in Miami, Florida, with his family on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, after President Trump expressed support for him to take refuge in the United States. The arrival follows a contested election runoff and an order by Vice-President of the Supreme Federal Court of Brazil Alexandre de Moraes demanding Bolsonaro surrender his passport.
Arrival in Miami Amid Passport Seizure
Flavio Bolsonaro touched down at Opa-Locka Executive Airport alongside his wife and two daughters. The senator had departed Brazil shortly after losing a dramatic runoff election to 81-year-old Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The journey followed an aggressive legal maneuver in Brasilia. Alexandre de Moraes ordered the seizure of Flavio’s passport after the candidate suggested on a podcast that he would flee the country if he lost the race.
Flavio has not been formally charged with any crimes. He maintains that the ongoing investigations into his affairs—which reportedly involve corruption concerns, money laundering, and wider political scandals—amount to political persecution.
Once on the ground in Florida, Flavio released an open letter to journalists claiming legitimacy. I want to say, not only to my 60 million voters but to the Brazilian people, that I am the elected president and that the criminals who stole Brazil’s election are part of a criminal organization that has established a tyranny,
he stated.
Washington’s Receptiveness and the 2026 Electoral Battle
President Trump voiced immediate approval for the Brazilian politician’s relocation. Speaking to reporters late Tuesday, Trump remarked on the outcome of the South American vote. Well, I would approve,
Trump said regarding Flavio taking refuge in the US. The election was very strange, and I thought it was terrible.
JUST IN: Flavio Bolsonaro of Brazil is believed to have just landed in Florida. pic.twitter.com/zdCNRb3CRE
Trump added that he knew both political figures, having maintained close ties with Flavio’s father, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Jair Bolsonaro is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence stemming from a coup attempt following his 2022 defeat against Lula.
The 2026 contest itself was marked by dramatic shifts. Flavio Bolsonaro secured victory in the initial round of voting earlier in the month, but Lula orchestrated a comeback in the Sunday runoffs. Lula garnered over 64 million votes, outpacing Flavio’s total of fewer than 60 million. This established a margin of victory of roughly 4 percentage points, defying international trends against incumbents and regional trends of South American nations shifting toward the right.
Controversy also touched the voting mechanics themselves. Both camps petitioned for a nationwide extension of voting hours due to transportation issues causing disruptions. Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Cristiano Zanin—who previously served as Lula’s attorney—approved a two-hour national extension, though questions lingered regarding its uniform implementation.
| Candidate | Runoff Vote Total |
|---|---|
| Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva | Over 64 million |
| Flavio Bolsonaro | Fewer than 60 million |
Diplomatic Repercussions and Shifting Alliances
Flavio’s relocation to Florida places him alongside his brother Eduardo Bolsonaro, who was already residing in the US prior to this week’s events. The State Department is expected to issue official visas for Flavio and his family.
The development highlights the stark contrast between Washington’s historical warmth toward the Bolsonaro family and Brasilia’s current administration under Lula. While Jair Bolsonaro’s foreign policy approach was generally considered more pro-America than Lula’s, Lula’s return to power signals a shift for Latin America’s largest economy.
As Flavio settles in Miami, questions remain regarding how the Brazilian judiciary will pursue its investigations into the senator in absentia, and whether Brasilia will seek formal international cooperation for his return.
Keep reading
- Defeated Bolsonaro Declares Himself Rightful President from the US After Fleeing Brazil
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- Flávio Bolsonaro to Lead Brazilian Opposition from the US (newsy-today.com)
- Flavio Bolsonaro declares himself leader of Brazil from US (world-today-journal.com)
