Where is Flávio Bolsonaro? Investigation into Possible Escape to the U.S. via Argentina Following Lula’s Election Victory

Original article: ¿Dónde está Flávio Bolsonaro?: investigan posible fuga a EE.UU. vía Argentina tras derrota ante Lula

Following his defeat against Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who secured reelection on Sunday, questions arise about Flávio Bolsonaro’s whereabouts as authorities investigate a possible escape by the far-right figure to the United States through Argentina.

After losing the runoff election last Sunday, the candidate from the Liberal Party and senator was required to surrender his passport to Brazilian police, an act he described in a video shared on social media as «an aberration.»

Bolsonaro is currently under investigation for potential money laundering, foreign exchange evasion, and both active and passive corruption. Now, following his loss, he will lose his parliamentary immunity in February 2027 when his term ends.

According to Brazilian media reports, the order stemmed from Alexandre de Moraes, a minister in the Federal Supreme Court, based on a statement from his brother Eduardo made on October 23, suggesting that «Flávio should leave Brazil if he loses the elections,» prompting deputies (Rogério Correia from the Workers’ Party; Duda Salabert from the Socialism and Freedom Party; and Otoni de Paula from the Social Democratic Party) to request that the judiciary revoke the passport of the former candidate.

In the early hours of Tuesday, rumors spread that Flávio Bolsonaro may have fled to Argentina, specifically to Iguazú, from where he would board a private flight heading to the U.S.

According to Página 12, he reportedly traveled on a Gulfstream G400, registration LV-JQW, owned by the company Baires Fly.

The aircraft allegedly took off from Aeroparque at 10:14 PM on Monday and arrived in Iguazú at 11:45 PM.

Citing sources from the Airport Security Police (PSA), it was confirmed that the flight plan was directed toward the U.S., and departure was anticipated in the early morning hours.

From Iguazú airport, officials indicated that while the plane was expected to depart for Miami at 5 PM, no members of the Bolsonaro family were listed on the passenger manifest, with local police reporting that “speculations suggest Flávio Bolsonaro would take that flight.”

Is There Evidence of Bolsonaro’s Escape?

According to the digital newspaper Infobae, the plane that the far-right figure would board belongs to an airline corporation linked to the COC Global Enterprise fund, owned by businessman Leonardo Scatturice, known for his ties with the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentina’s President Javier Milei.

«The pieces of information began to align when it was confirmed that the Gulfstream departed on Monday night towards Iguazú,» reported Página/12.

Additionally, it was noted that according to «off the record» information, the immigration system in Iguazú experienced failures, making it impossible to verify whether Bolsonaro had entered Argentine territory.

Although Bolsonaro did not possess his passport, which was withheld due to flight risk concerns, it is important to remember that entering Mercosur member countries only requires an identity document.

Sources from the Gendarmerie reported to Página/12 that there is no information indicating Flávio Bolsonaro entered Argentina; meanwhile, immigration issued a brief statement asserting that «there are no records» of his entry into the southern nation.

“Due to the media attention surrounding a private aircraft at the Iguazú International Airport, authorities have initiated appropriate checks on the aircraft and crew,” they stated, noting that they confirmed “the company’s documentation is in order and no flight plan including the Bolsonaro family was presented.”

Faced with various reports, the Argentine digital outlet speculated on the possibility that the far-right figure attempted to escape, but it may have resulted in a failed attempt.

Flávio Bolsonaro Steps Back from Attempt to Nullify Lula’s Victory

After the runoff results, the far-right figure initially refused to acknowledge President Lula’s victory but ultimately chose to renounce his request for the cancellation of the elections on Monday, as he declared on election night after not recognizing the results.

The son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest after being sentenced to 27 years in prison for his coup plotting following his defeat against the progressive leader in the 2024 elections, decided to focus on “organizing” the opposition bench in Congress to transform both chambers into a “fortress” against Lula’s administration.

Amid questions about where Flávio Bolsonaro is, it is worth noting that his brother Eduardo is in the United States, having fled Brazilian justice, while their father Jair attempted to escape Brazil and seek asylum at either the U.S. or Argentine embassy amid the charges related to the coup attempt.