Flavio Bolsonaro flees to Florida after losing Brazil's election runoff
The conservative candidate lost Sunday's runoff to Lula. He fled to the US, saying his passports were cancelled unfairly.
Flavio Bolsonaro lost the runoff to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva by 3.5 percentage points on Sunday. He secretly left Brazil on Tuesday and arrived in Florida on Wednesday by private jet.
He travelled through Argentina and Ecuador to reach the US. Brazilian police had cancelled his passports as part of a money-laundering investigation.
During an Instagram livestream, the 45-year-old said he was a victim of persecution. His father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, is under house arrest.
He said he plans to run for president before 2030, but gave no details about his escape.
- 3.5 percentage points
- Runoff loss margin
- 45
- Age
- Argentina and Ecuador to Florida
- Escape route
- Under house arrest
- Father's status
Why it mattersA major opposition candidate's escape signals political crisis in Brazil. It raises questions about US involvement.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but international political instability can eventually affect trade and regional relations.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
