MIAMI — Defeated Brazilian presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro has landed in the United States following a roundabout journey through South America, stepping into an uncertain political future amid ongoing legal scrutiny in his home country.
Bolsonaro arrived at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport accompanied by his wife, Fernanda, and their two daughters. His arrival in Florida follows his loss to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Sunday's presidential election and a series of events that included failing to comply with a Brazilian Supreme Court order to surrender his passports.
The journey to the United States involved a circuitous route tracked through Argentina and Ecuador before touching down in Florida. The US State Department confirmed to the BBC that it would issue visas to Bolsonaro and his family, while reports noted remarks from Donald Trump indicating he would be "okay" with Bolsonaro staying in the country.
Bolsonaro currently faces pending investigations before Brazil's Supreme Federal Court regarding alleged corruption and money laundering, which he denies. The probes include inquiries into possible irregularities involving the transfer of nearly $70 million from Banco Master to the film Dark Horse. His departure and arrival in the US mark a dramatic turn following his failed presidential bid and the cancellation of his passport by Brazilian authorities.
