US President Donald Trump has previously defended Flavio’s father, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, alleging that he was being persecuted by Brazil’s judiciary. Trump has also criticised Brazil’s electoral process, describing Sunday’s vote on Monday as appearing to be “another rigged election”, without directly commenting on Flavio’s departure.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has accused Washington of working with the Bolsonaro family to help them regain power. Reuters had reported before Sunday’s election on a US State Department effort to restore the family’s political influence.
The latest development comes amid strained relations between the two largest countries in the Americas over Brazil’s political and judicial affairs.
Jair Bolsonaro travelled to the United States after refusing to concede defeat to Lula in 2022, when Joe Biden was US president. He subsequently returned to Brazil and was sentenced to 27 years in prison for plotting a coup after his supporters stormed government buildings in Brasilia.
Supreme Court Ordered Flavio Bolsonaro to Surrender Passports
Brazil’s Supreme Court gave Flavio Bolsonaro 24 hours on Monday to surrender his passports. Two sources told Reuters that the documents were cancelled after he missed the deadline.
In its ruling, reviewed by Reuters, the court cited concerns that the senator could flee Brazil. His “significant financial resources” were among the reasons given to justify the seizure of his passports.
Flavio had denied any intention of leaving the country. On Monday, he said, “I have never thought about leaving the country.”
He added, “I will hand over my passports and defend myself against this travesty, which is a clear attempt to intimidate me.”
His departure also appeared to take his campaign manager, Senator Rogerio Marinho, by surprise. Marinho said they had discussed only a day earlier the need for Flavio to lead the opposition following his election defeat.
“We are surprised by the news because, just yesterday, we discussed the need for Flavio — given the 60 million votes he received — to take on this role as leader of the opposition,” Marinho told reporters.
Flavio is due to lose his parliamentary immunity from prosecution when his Senate term ends in February, adding to the legal uncertainty surrounding his political future.
It remains unclear how he managed to leave Brazil while the passport surrender deadline was in force. A senior Federal Police official said he had not departed through any regular immigration checkpoint.
Bolsonaro Yet to Concede Election Defeat
Although Flavio has not formally accepted the election result, his Liberal Party said on Monday that it recognised Lula’s victory.
On Sunday, the senator had said he would seek to overturn the result over alleged voting irregularities.
The circumstances surrounding his departure remain unclear, including how he left the country despite the Supreme Court’s order and the deadline for surrendering his passports.
The development also echoes comments made by his younger brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro, who lives in the United States. Before the election, Eduardo told podcaster Steven Crowder that he supported Flavio leaving Brazil if he lost the contest.
US-Brazil Relations Face Further Strain
Flavio’s departure adds another potential point of tension to relations between Washington and Brasilia. Lula has accused the United States of supporting efforts by the Bolsonaro family to return to power, while Trump has publicly defended Jair Bolsonaro and questioned the credibility of Brazil’s election.
The Supreme Court’s concerns about Flavio potentially fleeing the country, the cancellation of his passports and the uncertainty surrounding his departure have further complicated the situation.
With Flavio expected to lose parliamentary immunity from prosecution when his Senate term ends in February, his legal position and future role in the opposition remain uncertain. The circumstances of his departure and its implications for Brazil’s political landscape and relations with the United States remain central to the unfolding developments.
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