Brazil's Former President Fled to the U.S., Then Got 27 Years for Plotting a Coup
His son Flavio just did the same thing after losing an election.
Reuters World News · Israel rival claims, Bolsonaro flees and Mbappe's apologyFlavio Bolsonaro, a Brazilian senator, fled to America after his defeat in Brazil's presidential election to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. He faces possible prosecution in Brazil on accusations involving money laundering, which he denies, and he has yet to concede defeat.
His trip echoes his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who left for the United States in late December 2022 after refusing to concede his loss to Lula and stayed about three months before returning in March 2023 during Joe Biden's presidency.
After the elder Bolsonaro went back to Brazil, he received a 27-year prison term for planning a coup. President Donald Trump said to journalists he favored Bolsonaro coming to the United States and has described that punishment as judicial persecution, though Trump never endorsed Flavio Bolsonaro in the race.
Flavio's brother Eduardo, another son of the former president, is also living in the United States.
Questions people ask
What was Jair Bolsonaro convicted of plotting?
In September 2025, a panel of Brazil's Supreme Court convicted him of leading a conspiracy to overturn the 2022 election and remain in power. The charges included attempting a coup, and the court imposed a 27-year prison sentence.
Why might Flavio Bolsonaro face prosecution?
He faces possible prosecution in Brazil on accusations involving money laundering, which he denies. The Supreme Court had ordered him to surrender his passports, and Lula called his departure shameful.