Brazil was left guessing as the defeated candidate made his way to Florida by private jet

Last updated: October 29, 2026 | 11:33

Defeated presidential candidate travelled through Argentina and Ecuador as police investigated. AFP

Flavio Bolsonaro's clandestine escape to the United States bewildered Brazil and triggered a frantic search for his whereabouts.

The Supreme Court had ordered the son of jailed ex-leader Jair Bolsonaro to forfeit his passports after his electoral loss on Sunday, amid fears he would leave the country due to ongoing investigations against him.

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But the defeated right-wing presidential candidate failed to hand them in, choosing instead to flee to the US via Argentina and Ecuador.

AFP takes a look at the frenzied 24-hours that left the world scratching its head as Bolsonaro went off the grid.

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