Defeated Brazilian Candidate Flávio Bolsonaro Reportedly Arrives in US

Dragon Media News Desk

Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who lost the presidential election, has arrived in the United States with his family, CNN Brasil reported, citing sources. The report said he left Brazil in defiance of a court order. His arrival in the United States has not been independently confirmed.

On Monday, Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered Bolsonaro to surrender his ordinary and diplomatic passports to the police and barred him from leaving the country. The order was issued as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering. Bolsonaro denies the allegations.

After the deadline to surrender his passports passed, police canceled both documents. A Brazilian Federal Police official said there was no record of Bolsonaro leaving through a regular immigration checkpoint. Reports said he may have crossed into Argentina before boarding a private jet to the United States, but Argentine authorities said they had no record of his entry.

In Brazil’s October 25 presidential runoff, incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was reelected with 51.79 percent of the vote. Flávio Bolsonaro received 48.21 percent. A senior US State Department official said visas would be issued to Bolsonaro and his family.

Bolsonaro’s political allies had expected him to lead the opposition in Congress after the election. His departure reportedly disappointed them.