- Unconfirmed Departure: Mexican investor and former Tourism Secretary Simón Levy claimed on social media that Senator Flávio Bolsonaro arrived in the U.S. under “Operation Alba.” Reuters also reported on the potential departure, though neither Brazilian nor U.S. authorities have officially confirmed the travel.
- Campaign Surprised: Senator Rogério Marinho (PL-RN), who managed Flávio’s presidential campaign, expressed shock over the news, noting he received a text message Tuesday morning from Flávio saying he would “take some time off” before contacting allies again.
- Family Travel: Flávio reportedly departed alongside his wife and daughters, though specific travel logistics and flight details remain unverified.
- Passport Cancellation: Supreme Court (STF) Justice Alexandre de Moraes had ordered the senator to surrender his passports within 24 hours and banned him from leaving Brazil. Because the documents were not surrendered, the Federal Police officially cancelled them.
- Pending Criminal Inquiries: Flávio remains under investigation in two criminal proceedings at the Supreme Court involving money laundering allegations and private funding for a film about Jair Bolsonaro.
- Jurisdiction Beyond Term: Although Flávio’s Senate term concludes on February 1, 2027, established Supreme Court precedent allows the tribunal to retain jurisdiction over the criminal inquiries after his term expires.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) reportedly left Brazil for the United States less than 48 hours after losing the presidential election, according to statements published Tuesday (October 27) by Mexican investor and former Tourism Secretary Simón Levy, and reported by Reuters.
However, as of publication, no official Brazilian or U.S. government authority has confirmed the senator’s departure from national territory.
In a series of social media posts, Levy claimed that Flávio arrived safely in the United States via a covert operation allegedly coordinated by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Levy further stated that the senator plans to lead the political opposition against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from abroad.
“As I reported a few hours ago, Flávio Bolsonaro arrived safely in the United States. The brain behind this operation is U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. From the United States, free and safe, Flávio will lead the opposition against Lula,” Levy posted around 3:30 PM. Shortly thereafter, the investor referred to the alleged departure as “Operation Alba.”
Levy, an attorney and businessman, publicly aligns himself with Donald Trump and the MAGA movement.
While Reuters also reported on the possible departure, no official travel confirmation has been issued by law enforcement or diplomatic authorities in either country.
Campaign Manager Rogério Marinho Expresses Surprise
Senator Rogério Marinho (PL-RN), who served as campaign manager for Flávio Bolsonaro’s presidential run, stated Tuesday that he was unaware of any travel plans to the United States.
Speaking to reporters following a meeting with Liberal Party (PL) leadership in Brasília, Marinho noted that the news caught campaign officials off guard, as he had discussed post-election strategy with Flávio just a day prior.
“We are surprised because yesterday we spoke about the need for Flávio, backed by the 60 million votes he received, to assume a leading opposition role—which is critical given our assessment of the current administration,” Marinho said.
Marinho revealed he received a text message from Flávio around 8:00 AM on Tuesday, in which the senator stated he would “take some time off” and reach out to political allies later.
Reports indicate Flávio left the country accompanied by his wife and daughters. Specific logistical details regarding how or when the family boarded an international flight remain unconfirmed.
Representative-elect Carlos Jordy (PL-RJ), an ally of the senator, commented on social media that Flávio traveled to the United States to avoid being used as political leverage in potential congressional negotiations regarding the impeachment of Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
Non-Compliance with Judicial Order and Passport Cancellation
The reported travel follows a high-profile judicial order targeting the senator’s travel documents. On Monday (October 26), Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered Flávio Bolsonaro to hand over his passports to the Federal Police within 24 hours, while imposing a formal exit ban prohibiting him from leaving Brazil.
The order, issued under court seal, was initially publicized by the senator himself on social media. The directive stems from an ongoing criminal investigation involving Flávio and attorney Willer Tomaz regarding money laundering allegations.
The 24-hour deadline expired Tuesday morning. Because the physical passports were not surrendered, the Federal Police formally revoked and cancelled the travel documents.
The sequence of events stands in contrast to a video published by Flávio on Monday, in which he denied any intention of leaving Brazil and promised to comply with the court order to hand over his passports.
Dual Criminal Inquiries Continue at the Supreme Court
Regardless of his current location, Flávio Bolsonaro remains under active investigation in two separate criminal proceedings before the Supreme Court, where he holds parliamentary immunity (foro privilegiado) until his Senate term ends on February 1, 2027.
- Willer Tomaz & Sports Betting Probe: The first inquiry examines money laundering allegations linked to commercial sports betting operators (bets). According to court records, Flávio’s name surfaced in communications involving Tomaz’s secretary regarding the closure of an account tied to Alcazar Holdings—a Madeira, Portugal-based entity under Federal Police scrutiny. Justice Moraes previously froze up to R$ 6 billion in assets belonging to Tomaz after federal agents discovered the attorney had flown to Miami following search-and-seizure warrants executed in August under Operation Sem Desconto.
- “Dark Horse” Film Financing Probe: The second proceeding investigates alleged financial transfers from former banker Daniel Vorcaro to fund Dark Horse, a biographical film chronicling former President Jair Bolsonaro’s political rise. The inquiry was initiated following investigative reports by The Intercept detailing leaked communications from November 2025 in which Flávio allegedly solicited film financing from Vorcaro. Flávio was formally named a target in the probe in July 2026, though he maintains the funds were strictly private and denied any improper conduct.
Legal Jurisdiction Beyond 2027
While Flávio Bolsonaro failed to win the presidency, his current legislative mandate in the Senate runs through February 1, 2027, at which point his parliamentary immunity expires.
However, losing parliamentary immunity will not automatically transfer these cases to lower federal courts. Under established Supreme Court precedent, the tribunal retains jurisdiction over criminal cases after an official leaves office if the alleged offenses are directly connected to the performance of public duties.
As a result, both criminal investigations against Flávio Bolsonaro are expected to remain under Supreme Court jurisdiction even after his Senate term concludes.
Source: Agência Brasil.
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