Police Freeze R$52 Billion in Refit Probe as Flávio Bolsonaro Confirms Vorcaro Funding Request

Overview

• Federal Police launched Operation Sem Refino on Friday targeting the Refit fuel conglomerate and allies, with STF Justice Alexandre de Moraes authorizing searches that included ex–Rio governor Cláudio Castro.
• A court ordered up to R$52 billion in assets blocked and suspended the companies under investigation, striking a group long accused by tax authorities of large unpaid debts.
• Speaking at a Rio police event Friday, Flávio Bolsonaro said he sought banker Daniel Vorcaro’s backing for a Bolsonaro film when the financier was being courted, as investigators examine whether the transfers also covered Eduardo Bolsonaro’s costs in the United States.
• Leaks published Wednesday by The Intercept showed he asked for about US$24 million and that at least US$10.6 million in 2025 moved via Entre to a U.S. fund run by a lawyer linked to Eduardo Bolsonaro.
• The disclosures and the raid have shaken the PL in Rio, with analysts noting new pressure on Douglas Ruas after police targeted Castro, even as producer Mario Frias says the film used private money routed by Entre rather than a formal Banco Master deal.