Argentina confirms Bolsonaro entered country by land, flew to Ecuador

Argentina confirmed on Wednesday that former Brazilian presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro entered the country by land and then flew to Ecuador with his family. The Bolsonaro family crossed the border through the Tancredo Neves international bridge in Misiones province at 10.50 p.m. local time, presenting valid travel documents and no legal impediment to enter Argentina.

Shortly after, around 11.30 p.m., they boarded a private plane operated by Baires Fly S.A. en route to Guayaquil, Ecuador. The exact destination of their trip from Ecuador remains unknown at this time. The confirmation comes amidst a day filled with rumors about Bolsonaro's whereabouts, following his loss in the presidential runoff against incumbent Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva on Sunday.

Bolsonaro, who had been barred from leaving the country by Brazil's Supreme Court on Monday due to a money laundering investigation, was ordered to surrender his passports as part of the proceedings. The Supreme Court's decision came after Bolsonaro failed to surrender his passports within the 24-hour deadline stipulated by the judiciary.

Despite the legal ban, rumors surfaced that Bolsonaro had traveled to Puerto Iguazú in Argentina, allegedly taking a private flight to the United States. Argentina's customs office denied these reports, stating they had no record of Bolsonaro entering the country. However, they confirmed that a private jet matching the description of the allegedly transporting aircraft was at the Puerto Iguazú airport.

Authorities conducted inspections but found the company's documentation in order and no flight plan filed for Bolsonaro's family. The ban on Bolsonaro's departure from Brazil leaves him without a legislative role for the first time since 2002, as he currently holds legal immunity until the end of his term in February.