Brazil Senator Flávio Bolsonaro Flees to US After Election Loss; State Dept Says Visas Will Be Issued

Brazilian Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro left the country for the United States on Tuesday, two days after he was defeated by leftist incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brazil’s presidential runoff.

A senior U.S. State Department official told News Outlet 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 confirmed his departure from Brazil to Reuters on Tuesday.

Brazilian news outlet Metropoles reported that Bolsonaro’s flight was bound for Florida, citing individuals close to his family.

The 45-year-old lawmaker had not been seen in public since Tuesday morning, according to the outlet.

His reported departure came just as a noon Tuesday deadline expired for 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 offenses.

It was not immediately clear whether he had complied with the passport order, The Associated Press reported.

RELATED: How France’s Hard-Left Activists Are Plotting a New Revolution

Bolsonaro was served with the order Monday, one day after Lula defeated him in Sunday’s presidential runoff to win an unprecedented fourth term.

With the full vote counted, Lula received 51.8%, beating Bolsonaro by nearly 4.4 million ballots.

According to The Associated Press, Bolsonaro has declined to concede and demanded that the election results be voided, alleging fraud.

Following his victory, Lula spoke to supporters and thanked the Brazilian people for their backing.

“No one is required to like the president-elect, but he must govern for everyone,” Lula said.

Speaking about his rival, Lula added, “This was a defeat for denialism and lies.”