Flavio Bolsonaro says he left Brazil because he is the victim of 'persecution'

Summary

Defeated Brazilian conservative presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro said in an Instagram livestream that he left Brazil because he is the victim of 'persecution', which he said 'began even sooner than I imagined'. He discussed his decision to flee after his Brazilian passports were cancelled as part of a money laundering investigation, and said he and his wife fled to the United States 'without anyone knowing'. He suggested there had been irregularities in the runoff, which Lula won, without detailing what they might have been, and urged people not to 'point the finger at anyone'.

Timeline

1. The Hindu

   31 Oct 2026, 02:34 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that Flavio Bolsonaro said in an Instagram livestream that he left Brazil because he is the victim of 'persecution', which began 'even sooner than I imagined', and that he discussed his decision to flee after his Brazilian passports were cancelled as part of a money laundering investigation.

2. The Straits Times

   31 Oct 2026, 02:45 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Flavio Bolsonaro, discussing his departure from Brazil, suggested there had been irregularities in the runoff, without detailing what those might have been.

3. ABC

   31 Oct 2026, 03:41 UTCSource ↗

   ABC reports that the defeated Brazilian conservative presidential candidate said in an Instagram livestream that he and his wife fled to the United States 'without anyone knowing'.

4. Le Monde

   31 Oct 2026, 04:15 UTCSource ↗

   Le Monde reports that the former presidential candidate, who lost Sunday's runoff to Lula, said he and his wife left the country 'without anyone knowing' and urged people not to 'point the finger at anyone'.