Brazil: Bolsonaro apparently on his way to the USA despite the travel ban

According to media reports, the defeated presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro has left Brazil and is on his way to the USA. Bolsonaro is actually not allowed to do so because of a court decision

Despite the travel ban, Bolsonaro arrived in the USA, according to US media As of: October 28, 2026 • 10:06 a.m

Flávio Bolsonaro, who was defeated in the presidential election, has left Brazil. While US media reports that he landed in the USA, Argentina's immigration authorities speak of a flight to Ecuador.

Brazil's presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro has apparently left the country. According to information from the US broadcaster CNN and the Washington Post, he is said to have landed in the USA on Tuesday (local time). It was initially not known exactly where he landed. The British BBC reported that, according to sources, he met with his younger brother in Florida.

CNN and the Reuters news agency reported that he was on his way to the USA, citing two sources - one from Bolsonaro's environment and one from the USA. The Washington Post referred to a total of three people familiar with the matter.

However, the Argentine immigration authorities announced a different route and a different location for Bolsonaro. Accordingly, the defeated presidential candidate entered Argentina overland. According to Argentinian information, valid travel documents were available. Bolsonaro then flew on a private plane to Ecuador.

He is said to have been accompanied by his wife Fernanda and his daughters Carolina and Luiza. According to the flight plan, the plane had the Ecuadorian port city of Guayaquil as its destination.

Bolsonaro is being investigated on allegations of money laundering. more

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered Bolsonaro on Monday to hand in his passports within 24 hours. At the same time, he had the documents canceled and prohibited him from leaving the country.

The order was issued in an investigation against Bolsonaro and the lawyer Willer Tomaz on suspicion of money laundering. Investigations into corruption and illegal election influence are also ongoing. Bolsonaro denies any wrongdoing.

Media: Brazil's election loser Bolsonaro on the run tagesschau, Das Erste, October 27, 2026 • 8:00 p.m. Trump supports Bolsonaro's entry The US State Department said it would issue visas for Bolsonaro and his family. However, it did not confirm the alleged travel plans.

After media reports about Bolsonaro's departure, US President Donald Trump expressed his positive opinion about a possible arrival in the USA. “The election was really strange, and I thought it was terrible,” Trump told reporters. Trump continued that it would be “okay” for him if Bolsonaro came to the USA.

Bolsonaro's brother Eduardo, who lives in Texas, had publicly encouraged the presidential candidate to leave Brazil if he lost the election.

Latin America expert Maihold explains what can happen next in Brazil after the presidential election. more

Re-elected President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized Bolsonaro's disappearance. The process was shameful, Lula said during celebrations for his 81st birthday. Bolsonaro could have stayed "and proved that the allegations reported in the press are not true."

According to the electoral court, in the runoff election on Sunday, Bolsonaro lost with 48.2 percent of the vote to incumbent Lula, who received 51.8 percent. He then declared that he would not recognize the election because of alleged manipulation.

The next day, however, his party rowed back and admitted defeat. Bolsonaro declared that he wanted to serve as opposition leader - although he does not have a mandate in the new Congress.

Brazilian media saw his candidacy for president as an attempt to avoid criminal consequences. After his defeat, he will lose his special legal status as a senator in January, which will make investigations against him easier.

With information from Anne Herrberg, ARD Rio de Janeiro