US Grants Visas To Bolsonaro

The United States confirmed on Tuesday that it will issue visas to Flávio Bolsonaro and his family. This move allows the group to enter the U.S. while reports suggest Bolsonaro has already departed Brazil.

Bolsonaro lost Sunday's presidential election to incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The margin of defeat exceeded four million votes. Lula secured just over 51 percent of valid votes, totaling approximately 64.2 million. Bolsonaro received more than 48 percent, or nearly 59.8 million votes. Although his party recognized the result, Bolsonaro has not conceded.

Legal pressure in Brazil intensified over the weekend. On Monday, the Supreme Court ordered Bolsonaro to surrender his passports within 24 hours. The court also barred him from leaving the country. This order followed comments by his brother Eduardo, who lives in Florida, suggesting Flávio should depart if he lost.

In a video released that day, Bolsonaro stated that federal police stopped him outside his father's home. His father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, is under house arrest after receiving a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup in 2022. Flávio Bolsonaro described the police action as an attempt to intimidate him. He said, "I never thought about leaving the country. I will hand over my passports and defend myself against this aberration."

By Tuesday, Brazilian media reported that Bolsonaro had left for the United States. His campaign manager, lawyer, and political allies previously said they did not know his whereabouts. He faces multiple investigations in Brazil, including allegations of money laundering and tax evasion. He denies these claims.

President Donald Trump has questioned the election results. On Monday, he suggested the vote was rigged without providing evidence. At a rally in Texas on Tuesday night, he repeated these doubts. He said, "Brazil is also doing a good job of it, aren't they? Did you see that? I didn't take sides, but it didn't look very good."

Lula addressed the reported departure during his 81st birthday celebration in Brasília on Tuesday. He told supporters, "Those who have nothing to hide have nothing to fear." Lula added that he regretted Bolsonaro's exit. He also noted the close ties between the Bolsonaro family and the Trump administration, stating, "Brazil is their second home; their first home is the United States."