Bolsonaro's son flees Brazil after election defeat, reportedly seeks US asylum

Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, lost the runoff election to incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, receiving 48.21% of the vote against Lula's 51.79%. He has refused to concede defeat, alleging electoral irregularities.

According to Brazilian media reports, Bolsonaro left the country with his wife and two daughters, traveling through Argentina.

Argentina's immigration authorities confirmed that the family crossed into the country and boarded a private flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador, late on October 27. They said the family had valid travel documents and faced no legal obstacles to entering Argentina.

Bolsonaro's allies told Brazilian outlet Metrópoles that he was heading to Florida to seek political asylum and that the administration of US President Donald Trump had been informed.

The US State Department said Bolsonaro and his family would be granted visas allowing them to enter the country.

The departure came after a Brazilian Supreme Court justice canceled Bolsonaro's passport in connection with a criminal investigation into an alleged $905 million money-laundering scheme involving betting companies.

Bolsonaro missed a deadline to surrender his passport to federal police. Brazilian authorities are investigating how he crossed the border.

Lula condemned his opponent's departure as "shameful," while lawmakers from Lula's Workers' Party asked the Supreme Court to order Bolsonaro's arrest and seek an Interpol Red Notice.

Trump had backed Bolsonaro during the election campaign and described the results as rigged.

Flávio's father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison for his role in a plot to overturn the results of Brazil's 2022 presidential election.

The younger Bolsonaro's departure has also raised questions about the future leadership of Brazil's far right, with several members of the political dynasty facing legal troubles or living abroad.