Brazilian senator Flávio Bolsonaro arrived in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday (28 October) aboard a private jet belonging to an Argentine businessman, after fleeing Brazil following his defeat to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Sunday’s presidential election.

His departure came despite a travel ban imposed on Monday, a day after the election.

According to the Guardian, the Gulfstream IV aircraft departed earlier on Wednesday from Guayaquil, Ecuador, before landing at Miami-Opa Locka Airport, which is used by private aircraft.

Candidato derrotado – O senador Flávio Bolsonaro (PL), sua esposa e as filhas do casal chegaram aos Estados Unidos na manhã desta quarta-feira (28). O avião que o senador utilizou para fugir do Brasil aterrisou em um aeorporto de Miami nesta manhã. ➡️ Em uma operação secreta, Flávio Bolsonaro, que descumpriu ordem do Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) para entregar seus passaportes, viajou aos EUA após entrar por terra na Argentina, embarcar em um avião particular, contornar o espaço aéreo brasileiro e fazer escala no Equador, de acordo com as fontes. O avião que transportou a família é um jatinho particular Gulfstream G400, aterrisou no aeroporto executivo Opa-locka, em Miami. Ainda não havia informaÇões, até a última atualização desta reportagem, sobre o proprietário da aeronave. Flávio Bolsonaro ainda não havia se manifestado após a fuga até a última atualização desta reportagem. Veja mais em #g1. #FlávioBolsonaro #EstadosUnidos #política #g1mundo

— g1 (@g1) October 28, 2026

Bolsonaro was accompanied by his wife and their two daughters. After disembarking, the family remained inside the airport for a short period before emerging concealed behind black umbrellas. They were then driven away at speed under police escort.

The senator made no statement before entering the vehicle but is expected to hold a press conference on Wednesday or Thursday.

A senior US State Department official had previously told the media that Bolsonaro and his family would be granted visas.

Trump backs Bolsonaro’s arrival in the US

Late on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said he would approve the family’s relocation to the United States, although it remains unclear whether Bolsonaro intends to stay in the country.

“They are good people. The elections were very strange, and I thought they were terrible,” Trump said while returning from a campaign event in Texas.

“I didn’t take sides, you know. I know them both. I know Lula. I know Flávio a little. I know his father [Jair Bolsonaro] very well.”

Lula, meanwhile, condemned Bolsonaro’s departure as “shameful”.

“That’s what the Bolsonaro family is like. Brazil is their second homeland. Their first homeland is licking the American boot, as they are accustomed to doing,” the Brazilian president said during an event marking his 81st birthday in Brasília.

How Bolsonaro escaped Brazil

Events unfolded rapidly after Sunday’s second round of the Brazilian presidential election.

Bolsonaro refused to concede defeat and openly questioned the legitimacy of Lula’s victory before disappearing from public view for more than 24 hours, from Monday afternoon until late Tuesday.

Speculation about his whereabouts intensified during that period. Reports suggested he had already travelled to the United States, although there were suspicions that people close to him may have deliberately circulated misleading information to confuse the authorities.

Late on Tuesday, Argentina’s immigration authorities confirmed that Bolsonaro had entered the country by land.

However, questions remain about where he had been during his disappearance and precisely when and how he crossed the border.

Brazil’s federal police have since faced intense criticism for failing to prevent him from leaving the country despite the restrictions imposed on him.

🚨 Flávio Bolsonaro e família desembarcam em Miami após fugir do Brasil Senador deixou o Brasil após descumprir ordem do STF para entregar passaportes; trajeto teve passagem pela Argentina e escala no Equador 🤳🏽 Reuters https://t.co/3BhnGNe5Y8

— Metrópoles (@Metropoles) October 28, 2026

Once in Argentina, Bolsonaro boarded a private jet that had been parked at Puerto Iguazú Airport since the early hours of Monday, when Argentine media first reported that he might attempt to flee Brazil.

According to the Argentine newspaper Página/12, the aircraft belonged to Sergio Daniel Mastropietro, a businessman under investigation by Argentine authorities over scandals linked to President Javier Milei’s administration, including allegations of kickbacks connected to the purchase of medicines for people with disabilities.

At approximately 11.30pm on Tuesday, Bolsonaro boarded the aircraft with his wife and two daughters, bound for Guayaquil, Ecuador.

The route was reportedly chosen to avoid Brazilian airspace.

After a brief stop in Ecuador, the family continued to Miami-Opa Locka Airport in Florida.

Why Brazilian authorities sought to seize his passport

Bolsonaro is under investigation in Brazil in connection with at least two criminal cases.

One concerns an alleged money-laundering operation involving hundreds of millions of dollars and companies operating in the betting industry.

Shortly after the presidential election results were announced, Brazilian federal police asked the Supreme Court to order the seizure of Bolsonaro’s passport amid concerns that he might attempt to leave the country.

The request followed comments made the previous Friday by his brother, former congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro.

Speaking on a US-based podcast, Eduardo, who is living in self-imposed exile in the United States and lobbying the Trump administration against Lula, argued that his brother should refuse to acknowledge defeat and travel to the United States if he lost the election.

Brazilian newspaper O Globo reported that the escape had been planned for weeks as a contingency measure in the event of an electoral defeat.

Eduardo Bolsonaro was reportedly the principal organiser of the operation and had held discussions with US officials about arrangements for his brother’s arrival.

A growing pattern among Bolsonaro allies

According to the Guardian, fleeing Brazil has become an increasingly common course of action among political figures associated with former president Jair Bolsonaro who face criminal charges or convictions.

Around ten politicians and other prominent individuals with close ties to the former president have reportedly left Brazil under similar circumstances in recent years.

Flávio Bolsonaro’s arrival in Miami now raises further questions about how he managed to evade Brazilian travel restrictions, as well as the extent of the assistance provided by his political allies and contacts in the United States.