Decoys, Italian passports, and private jets: Inside Flavio Bolsonaro's escape to Miami

The far-right presidential contender Flávio Bolsonaro arrived in Florida’s Opa-Locka Executive Airport after he left Brazil, fleeing from a travel restriction by the Supreme Court. Disregarding a court instruction that required him to hand in his passports after losing the election to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the 45-year-old senator crossed the international border using an Italian passport and declared himself “leader” in exile.

A secretive border crossing through Argentina and Ecuador

The escape strategy utilised the tactics of a motorcade deception, privileges of being a dual citizen, and private aviation.

The border trick: Although Bolsonaro's Brazilian authorities cancelled both his diplomatic and national documents, he used his Italian passport to enter Argentina by the Tancredo Neves International Bridge.

Private jet flight: Immigration officials in Argentina confirmed the fact that Bolsonaro, along with his wife and two daughters, was on board a private jet flight operated by Baires Fly SA.

Refuelling in Ecuador: After a quick technical stopover in Ecuador's city of Guayaquil, the plane flew directly to Florida.

Alleged fraud and plans for exile in the United States

The Bolsonaro couple made video statements on arrival to the U.S. about "electoral fraud" as well as accusations of criminality against Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin.

US President Donald Trump announced that he had given permission for entry, referring to the Bolsonaros as "nice people," while tension grows politically between Washington and Brasília.

On the other hand, Brazil's federal police are investigating Bolsonaro on charges of money laundering and tax evasion.

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