Politics · Brazil · 11 hrs ago
Lula plans not to react to Flávio Bolsonaro’s flight to the US
Flávio Bolsonaro travelled to the United States after Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered him to hand over his passports, according to one account.
He is a defeated presidential candidate and senator facing investigations, including one into suspected money laundering through online betting businesses.
Reports say US and Argentine officials helped him reach Miami, though the accounts differ on who arranged the travel.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government has decided not to respond publicly to the episode and says any action belongs to the courts.
Lula wants to avoid a diplomatic clash with US President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei.
The government also wants to protect trade ties with the United States and keep negotiations over tariffs going.
Brazil’s foreign ministry advises waiting before deciding on next steps, with one account saying the government is watching the US midterm elections.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva plans not to react publicly to Senator Flávio Bolsonaro’s flight to the United States.
Lula’s government says any measures over the episode belong to the courts, not the presidency.
Brazilian officials say they want to avoid worsening relations with US President Donald Trump or disrupting trade negotiations.
US and Argentine leaders are accused in the articles of helping Flávio reach Miami, but the accounts do not provide a response from them.
Flávio is under investigation in Brazil and was ordered to hand over his passports before leaving the country.
- Who
- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro are central to the story.
- What
- Lula plans not to react to Flávio’s flight to the United States and intends to leave the matter to the courts.
- When
- The reports were published on October 29 and 30, 2026. Flávio arrived in the United States on Wednesday, October 28, according to Estadão.
- Where
- Flávio travelled to Miami, United States, passing through Argentina and Ecuador, according to Folha.
- Why
- Lula’s government wants to avoid a diplomatic dispute with the United States and keep trade negotiations on course.
Brazilian government
Flávio Bolsonaro and his allies
Response to the flight
Brazilian government
Lula’s government plans not to react and says the matter belongs to the courts.
Flávio Bolsonaro and his allies
Flávio’s allies are described by Lula’s supporters as seeking to provoke a response from Lula; the articles do not state their response to that characterization.
Election claims
Brazilian government
The government says Lula was re-elected and does not plan to press Trump for recognition.
Flávio Bolsonaro and his allies
Flávio claimed to be Brazil’s “leader” and alleged, without presenting evidence, that the election was fraudulent.
The Supreme Federal Court ordered Flávio to hand over his passports, and he said he would not flee the country.
Flávio published a letter calling himself Brazil’s “true president”; the final version called him the country’s “leader.
Flávio arrived in the United States after travelling through Argentina and Ecuador, according to Estadão and Folha, respectively.
Lula met Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, who was due to travel to Atlanta for a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting.
- Election result
- Lula: 64,256,232 votes (51.79%); Flávio: 59,826,041 votes (48.21%)
- Judicial order
- October 26, 2026 | Alexandre de Moraes ordered Flávio to hand over his passports
- Destination
- Miami, United States
- Transit countries
- Argentina and Ecuador, according to Folha
- Investigations
- Flávio is the target of two Supreme Federal Court inquiries, according to Estadão
4 sources
Trump usa governo de forma 'flagrante' e 'indevida' para proteger Flávio Bolsonaro, diz senadora democrata à Folha
Lula tenta evitar que caso Flávio Bolsonaro vire crise diplomática por ajuda de Trump em fuga
Lula é orientado por Itamaraty a não dar corda para Milei e Trump no episódio da fuga de Flávio
Governo Lula deve esperar temperatura política baixar após fuga de Flávio para dar aval a novo embaixador dos EUA
What people are saying
give a platform to a madman
true president-elect of Brazil
leader of Brazil