Bolsonaro Seeks U.S. Visas Amid Reports of Departure

The United States announced on Tuesday that it will issue visas to Flávio Bolsonaro and his family, a move that coincides with reports that the Brazilian politician has already left his home country. His current location has not been independently verified. Bolsonaro lost Sunday's presidential election to incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva by a margin of more than four million votes. Despite his party's recognition of the result, Bolsonaro has refused to concede defeat.

The visa decision follows a series of legal and political moves in Brazil over the past week. On Monday, the country's Supreme Court ordered Bolsonaro to surrender his passports within 24 hours and barred him from exiting the nation. The ruling came after his brother Eduardo, who resides in Florida, suggested Flávio should leave if he lost the race. Federal police stopped Bolsonaro outside his father's home to enforce the order. Jair Bolsonaro, the former president, is under house arrest following a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup.

In a video released on Monday, Flávio Bolsonaro stated that he did not intend to leave Brazil. "I will hand over my passports and defend myself against this aberration," he said. He characterized the court's directive as an effort to intimidate him. By Tuesday, Brazilian media outlets reported that he had departed for the United States. His campaign manager, legal counsel, and other allies stated earlier that they were unaware of his whereabouts.

Lula secured victory with just over 51 percent of valid votes, totaling approximately 64.2 million. Bolsonaro received more than 48 percent, or nearly 59.8 million votes. President Donald Trump cast doubt on the outcome on Monday, calling the election "rigged" without providing supporting evidence. He revisited the topic at a campaign rally in Texas on Tuesday night. "Brazil is also doing a good job of it, aren't they? Did you see that? I didn't take sides, but it didn't look very good," Trump told the crowd.

Lula addressed the reported departure during birthday celebrations in Brasília on Tuesday. "Those who have nothing to hide have nothing to fear," the president told supporters. He expressed regret over Bolsonaro's exit, noting that the candidate could have stayed to disprove the accusations against him. Lula also commented on the Bolsonaro family's relationship with the U.S. government. "Brazil is their second home; their first home is the United States," he said.

The State Department's official confirmed the visa plan on Tuesday. The administration did not provide a specific timeline for the visas' issuance. Flávio Bolsonaro faces multiple investigations in Brazil, including charges of money laundering and tax evasion, which he denies.