Flávio Bolsonaro Seeks U.S. Visa After Election Loss to Lula

Flávio Bolsonaro reacted following his loss in Brazil’s presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasília on October 25, 2026. The United States has announced it will issue visas to Bolsonaro and his family amid reports that he has left Brazil after Sunday’s election. His precise location remains unverified.

Bolsonaro, aligned with conservative politics and President Donald Trump, lost the election to incumbent Lula by over four million votes, three weeks after securing victory in the first round. The Liberal Party acknowledged Lula’s win, but Bolsonaro has yet to concede.

On Tuesday, a senior U.S. official revealed that the State Department intends to provide visas to Bolsonaro and his family, allowing entrance into the United States. This decision accompanies ongoing investigations in Brazil into Bolsonaro’s alleged involvement in money laundering and tax evasion, allegations he denies.

On Monday, Brazil’s Supreme Court commanded Bolsonaro to relinquish his passports within 24 hours and prohibited his departure from Brazil. This order followed remarks from Bolsonaro’s brother Eduardo, who resides in Florida, urging Flávio to leave Brazil if defeated.

In a video statement, Bolsonaro claimed federal police confronted him near his father’s residence, demanding his passports. His father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, currently serves a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup after losing the 2022 election to Lula.

“I never thought about leaving the country,” Flávio Bolsonaro asserted in the video. “I will hand over my passports and defend myself against this aberration.” He perceived the order as an intimidation tactic. Brazilian media later reported that Bolsonaro departed for the U.S., while his campaign manager, lawyer, and political allies claimed ignorance of his location.

Lula triumphed with over 51% of the votes, approximately 64.2 million, compared to Bolsonaro’s near 48%, or almost 59.8 million votes. President Trump expressed doubts about Lula’s victory, suggesting election rigging without evidence. He discussed it at a Texas rally, accusing Democrats of fraud, and noted, “Brazil is also doing a good job of it, aren’t they? I didn’t take sides, but it didn’t look very good.”

Lula criticized Bolsonaro’s reported escape during his 81st birthday celebration in Brasília. “Those who have nothing to hide have nothing to fear,” Lula stated. “He could have stayed and proven that the accusations are not true,” he added, expressing regret over Bolsonaro’s departure.

Lula also commented on the Bolsonaro family’s ties to the Trump administration: “Brazil is their second home; their first home is the United States.”