Two Days After Defeat in Presidential Election, Flavio Bolsonaro Refuses to Surrender Passport and Departs for the U.S.

[Anchor]

Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who suffered a defeat in the Brazilian presidential election, has fled to the United States in violation of the Supreme Court's travel ban. As this sends shockwaves through Brazilian politics, concerns are rising that it could become a source of friction in relations between the U.S. and Brazil.

Reporter Kim Hye-young has the details.

[Reporter]

Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who lost the Brazilian presidential election, fled to the United States with his family yesterday, local time.

This comes just two days after his defeat to President Lula in the presidential runoff on October 25.

CNN, citing sources familiar with the U.S. government, reported that Bolsonaro arrived in the United States with his wife and two daughters.

Previously, the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court had ordered Bolsonaro, who is under investigation over suspicions of money laundering and illegal capital flight, to surrender his passport and banned him from leaving the country.

Although Bolsonaro stated that he had no intention of leaving Brazil, would surrender his passport, and would cooperate with the investigation, he ultimately departed for the U.S. without meeting the deadline for passport submission.

[Rogerio Marinho / Former Campaign Manager for Bolsonaro: I received a text message on my mobile phone from him saying that he wanted to rest for the day and would contact us later.]

The U.S. government confirmed its policy to issue visas and permit entry to Bolsonaro and his family, with CNN reporting that President Trump personally approved Bolsonaro's entry.

Brazilian President Lula strongly criticized Bolsonaro's departure for the U.S.

[Lula / President of Brazil: It is regrettable that he left Brazil. If he had stayed here, he could have proven that the allegations reported by the media are not true. This act of leaving Brazil is shameful.]

The fallout is also growing within the Brazilian political sphere.

While some opposition lawmakers criticize the judiciary, claiming Bolsonaro is facing political persecution, ruling party lawmakers strongly condemn his departure.

As this situation further deepens political conflicts within Brazil, it is also expected to pose a new test for relations between the United States and Brazil.

[Video Editing: Kim Byeong-jik]

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