TLDR Brazilian senator Flávio Bolsonaro arrived in Miami on October 28, three days after losing Brazil’s presidential election. He left Brazil through Argentina and Ecuador despite a Supreme Court order banning him from traveling abroad. Police are investigating whether he secretly held a stake in online betting site BestBet. Lawyer Willer Tomaz, linked to Bolsonaro, placed about $1.3 billion in wagers on Blaze.com across 2025 and 2026. A US State Department official said the family would be admitted, and allies say he is expected to seek asylum.
Brazilian senator Flávio Bolsonaro arrived in Miami on Wednesday, October 28, just three days after losing Brazil’s presidential election. He left the country despite a court order banning him from traveling abroad.
Bolsonaro is the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. He is under investigation over alleged links to an online betting business and possible money laundering.
The senator lost the election to incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The win gives Lula his fourth term as president.
Route Through Argentina and Ecuador
Bolsonaro traveled by land into Argentina with his wife and two daughters on Tuesday, October 27, according to Argentine immigration authorities. The family then boarded a private jet at Puerto Iguazú.
The plane stopped in Guayaquil, Ecuador, before landing at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport on Wednesday morning. Bolsonaro left the airport under police escort and did not speak to reporters, The Guardian reported.
On Monday, October 26, Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court ordered him to surrender his passports. Justice Alexandre de Moraes also barred him from leaving the country and from contacting lawyer Willer Tomaz.
The order came after federal police raised concerns that Bolsonaro might flee.
Questions Over Betting Business
Investigators are looking at Bolsonaro’s ties to Tomaz. Brazil’s Finance Ministry identified Tomaz as the country’s biggest