The flight began in Brazil’s eastern border town of Guaíra, where the Bolsonaro party’s campaign convoy boarded a private charter at 10:50 pm on Tuesday. The aircraft, operated by Baires Fly S.A., took off for Guayaquil, Ecuador, at 11:30 pm, then redirected to Miami‑Opa Locka Executive Airport, arriving at 9:30 am Wednesday.
The Supreme Court had issued an order on Monday demanding the senator surrender his Brazilian and diplomatic passports. Bolsonaro’s family reportedly possessed an Italian passport, which may have facilitated their exit. The court’s order came two days after the vote and while the senator faced investigations for alleged corruption, money laundering, and tax evasion.
Lula, who just turned 81, addressed supporters outside the presidential residence in Brasília, calling the flight "shameful" and expressing that Bolsonaro could have stayed to prove the accusations false. Argentine President Javier Milei’s spokesman said there was no asylum request, but the move has already strained relations between Argentina and Brazil. U.S. President Donald Trump, who met the senator in May, said he was "fine people" and would approve the visit, signalling a possible diplomatic bridge.
The Bolsonaro family’s journey echoes that of Jair Bolsonaro, who fled to Florida after the 2022 election loss and returned after three months. The recent flight underscores the enduring political rift that has seen the son and father take divergent paths through exile and incarceration.