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Federal Police Seek Money-Laundering Probe into Flávio Bolsonaro

By Drooid · Oct 20, 2026, 10:28 PM UTC · How we work

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Money Laundering Probe

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro debated on Sunday, 19 October, in São Paulo.
Analysts said the debate was dominated by personal attacks and offered little substantive policy discussion, limiting impact on undecided voters.
Federal police asked Brazil’s Supreme Court to open a money-laundering investigation into Flávio Bolsonaro.
Polls showed both candidates near 50 % support ahead of the 25 October runoff.

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Corruption Palm Stunt

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro debated on Sunday, 19 October, in São Paulo, before the runoff.
Lula said he would release his own bank, tax and phone records if Bolsonaro did, framing the debate on corruption accountability.
Bolsonaro displayed “corrupto” on his palm, stunt mocked and turned into a social-media trend.
Federal police opened a money-laundering probe into Bolsonaro, who faces ties to Rio’s organized-crime networks.

History

Historical Context

The 2016 removal of President Dilma Rousseff, approved by 61 senators on 31 August after a two-thirds vote in the Chamber, marked Brazil’s recent use of constitutional impeachment—a tool that has ousted ten Latin American presidents since 1978. Today, former President Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro clash as Federal Police reopen a probe into the Bolsonaro family, reviving the judicial scrutiny that followed Rousseff’s ouster.

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Money Laundering Probe

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro debated on Sunday, 19 October, in São Paulo.
Analysts said the debate was dominated by personal attacks and offered little substantive policy discussion, limiting impact on undecided voters.
Federal police asked Brazil’s Supreme Court to open a money-laundering investigation into Flávio Bolsonaro.
Polls showed both candidates near 50 % support ahead of the 25 October runoff.

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