Brazilian Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro left the country for the United States on Tuesday, just two days after being defeated by leftist incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brazil’s presidential runoff.
A senior U.S. State Department official confirmed to News Media that visas would be issued to Bolsonaro and his family, allowing them to enter the United States.
An ally of the far-right conservative senator also confirmed his departure from Brazil to Reuters on Tuesday.
His flight was reportedly bound for Florida, according to Brazilian outlet Metropoles, which cited people close to the Bolsonaro family.
Brazilian Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro reportedly departed Brazil for the United States on Tuesday after losing his campaign to become the country’s next president. (Evaristo Sa / AFP via Getty Images)
The 45-year-old lawmaker had not been seen in public since Tuesday morning, the outlet reported.
His departure followed the expiration of a noon Tuesday deadline requiring him to surrender his regular and diplomatic passports.
Brazilian newspaper Folha de São Paulo reported that Bolsonaro was being investigated over alleged money laundering and other crimes.
It was not immediately clear whether he had complied with the order, The Associated Press reported.
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After all votes were counted, Lula secured 51.8% of the vote. (Amanda Perobelli/Reuters)
Bolsonaro received the order Monday, one day after Lula defeated him in Sunday’s presidential runoff and won an unprecedented fourth term.
With 100% of the ballots counted, Lula captured 51.8% of the vote, defeating Bolsonaro by nearly 4.4 million votes.
Bolsonaro has refused to concede and called for the election results to be annulled, alleging fraud, according to The Associated Press.
After winning re-election, Lula spoke to supporters and thanked the people of Brazil.
Lula thanked supporters after winning a fourth, nonconsecutive term and expressed gratitude to the Brazilian people. (Diego Vara/Reuters)
“No one is required to like the president-elect, but he must govern for everyone,” Lula said.
Speaking about his opponent, Lula added, “This was a defeat for denialism and lies.”