Bolsonaro lands in US days after election defeat: Sources

Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Buda Mendes/Getty Images

Former Brazilian presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro has landed in the U.S., according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Earlier Tuesday, amid reports Bolsonaro had left Brazil just two days after he lost his presidential bid, a senior State Department official told ABC News the department would allow Bolsonaro and his family to enter the U.S. and issue them visas.

Earlier Tuesday, Brazilian authorities said they were unaware of Flávio Bolsonaro’s whereabouts and were investigating whether he fled to the U.S., according to authorities familiar with the investigation.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defeated Bolsonaro in a runoff election Sunday.

Bolsonaro is under investigation over a sports betting case and for probe into the production of a movie about his father Jair Bolsonaro, according to Brazilian authorities.  

The Trump administration had been tracking Flavio Bolsonaro’s plans and was expecting he would attempt to exit Brazil and head for the U.S., according to two U.S. officials familiar with the matter. 

President Donald Trump said Monday without evidence that Brazil’s election, “looked like another rigged election, frankly.”

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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