Flávio Bolsonaro has arrived in Miami with his family after losing Brazil’s presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Following his arrival, the senator published a letter describing himself as the country’s “true president,” before deleting it and issuing a revised version.
According to The Guardian, the replacement letter called Bolsonaro “the leader of Brazil.” His own party has recognised Lula’s victory, alongside Brazilian institutions and international election observers. Bolsonaro is the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro.
Lula Wins With 51.8% of the Vote
Lula secured 51.8% of the vote in Sunday’s presidential runoff, defeating Bolsonaro by approximately 4.4 million votes, according to electoral court results reported by the Associated Press.
Bolsonaro challenged the outcome following a decision to extend voting by two hours because of transport disruptions and severe weather. The electoral court’s president said the extension had not affected the result.
Lula’s fourth, non-consecutive presidential term begins in January 2027.
Journey Through Argentina and Ecuador
Argentine migration authorities confirmed that Bolsonaro, his wife and their two daughters entered Argentina by land before boarding a private aircraft bound for Ecuador. They subsequently continued to the United States.
Authorities said the family carried valid travel documents and faced no legal obstacles to entering Argentina. Their passage through the country was recorded without incident, according to the AP report.
Departure Comes Amid Investigations
Bolsonaro left Brazil while facing investigations into alleged corruption, money laundering and tax evasion. Brazil’s Supreme Court had ordered him to surrender his ordinary and diplomatic passports. Whether he complied remained unclear, The Independent reported.
Lula criticised his departure, saying Bolsonaro could have remained in Brazil to contest the allegations. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, expressed support for his arrival in the United States.
Defeated Brazilian presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro and his family have landed in Miami after fleeing his country.
This comes a day after they were granted United States visas by the Trump administration. https://t.co/oB91ejWab5
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 28, 2026
