Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro arrives in Miami amid criminal investigations

OPA WIRE, Oct 28 (OPA) — Senator Flávio Bolsonaro landed at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport on Wednesday after a journey that began in Brazil and included a transit through Argentina. The senator, who is currently under investigation for alleged money laundering and financial irregularities, stated he did not flee his homeland but rather departed to protect his family from what he described as a regime of exception. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that his administration granted the senator entry, telling reporters, "We gave him a pass to come into the country."

Bolsonaro’s departure follows the cancellation of his passports by Brazilian authorities after he failed to meet a 24-hour deadline to surrender them. The senator faces two major investigations before the Supreme Federal Court, including inquiries into a $70 million transfer involving a biopic about his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing, characterizing the legal actions against him as political persecution and a coup d'état.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized the senator's exit, stating that those with nothing to hide have nothing to fear. The arrival in Florida concludes days of speculation regarding the senator's whereabouts, which were initially obscured by conflicting reports of land border crossings and private flight paths. Brazilian police had previously conducted checks at border crossings, finding no initial evidence of his departure before flight tracking data confirmed his movement through Argentina and Ecuador.

Flávio Bolsonaro is scheduled to lose his parliamentary immunity on January 31, when his eight-year Senate term concludes. His family has a history of U.S. residency; his brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro, currently resides in Texas, and his father, Jair Bolsonaro, spent time in Florida following his own term. It remains unclear how long the senator intends to stay in the United States or if he will face further legal challenges regarding his travel status.