Key facts
- Bolsonaro was secretly flown to Miami after losing Brazil's presidential runoff to Lula.
- The U.S. State Department is issuing visas to Bolsonaro and his family.
- The U.S. Department of War backed a 15-year offtake of Serra Verde's output with $750 million.
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who lost the presidential runoff to Lula, has been secretly flown to Miami. This move follows his defiance of a Supreme Court order to surrender his passports amid a money-laundering investigation. The U.S. State Department is facilitating visas for Bolsonaro and his family. Prior to the election, U.S. diplomats in Brazil were reportedly informed that the policy was to return Bolsonaro to power, making him a direct target. Justice Flávio Dino has ordered an investigation into foreign financing of Bolsonaro's campaign, including potential links to overseas interests in Brazil's rare earths. Bolsonaro is set to lose his Senate immunity in February. Rare earths are a key interest for Washington in this situation, with the Department of War backing a $750 million, 15-year offtake agreement for Serra Verde's output. USA Rare Earth acquired the mine in September without Brasília's explicit understanding, and a new law enacted by Lula's government allows for council review of changes in control over mineral assets.