Brazilian senator Flávio Bolsonaro has said he will lead his country's opposition from the United States, where he arrived on Wednesday after fleeing Brazil following Sunday's runoff defeat. In a statement in which he referred to himself as the "leader of Brazil", Bolsonaro said he left his country to avoid being imprisoned and censored, accusing the ruling government and the Supreme Court of a political witch hunt. He thanked President Donald Trump and the American people for welcoming him and his family.

A journey through three countries

Bolsonaro's whereabouts had been unclear for much of Tuesday 27 October. Argentina's migration department said he crossed into Argentina from Brazil that night with his wife and two daughters, then travelled via Ecuador to Miami. He landed at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. He had left Brazil after a Supreme Court judge ordered him to surrender his passports as part of a criminal investigation into alleged money laundering, an allegation he denies. The US State Department said it would issue visas to his family, and President Trump said he approved, telling reporters: "I think they're fine people."

Election dispute continues

Bolsonaro lost the 25 October runoff to incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, having led after the first round and been widely favoured to win. He initially refused to concede and pledged to seek an annulment, citing what he called foul play, although his own Liberal Party acknowledged the result and world leaders quickly recognised Lula's victory. His claim that the election was stolen is his own allegation, not an established finding, and the Brazilian government denies there were problems with the vote. His next steps will test how far Washington's welcome extends to an opposition campaign run from exile.

Sources: CNN, USA Today, USA Today.