Jair Bolsonaro, however, has kept a largely low profile since moving to Florida. (file)
Miami, United States:
Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is under investigation for storming government buildings by his supporters, is seeking a six-month visa to stay in the United States, his lawyer said on Monday.
Bolsonaro flew to Florida in late December as his term expired rather than watch the inauguration of his leftist successor, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
He is understood to have entered on a visa for world leaders, which expires on Tuesday as he is no longer on official business.
AG Immigration Group, a California-based law firm known for its work with Brazilians, said Bolsonaro has requested a six-month visa to stay in the United States.
“We look forward to achieving the highest level of satisfaction and desired outcome for our client,” it said in a statement.
Bolsonaro previously told CNN Brasil that he planned to return by the end of January, and was considering an earlier departure for health reasons.
The far-right leader was injured in a knife attack in 2018. He suffered health complications from that assassination attempt, and received hospital care while living in Florida.
But Bolsonaro has since come under scrutiny over riots in the capital, Brasilia, on January 8 after his supporters refused to accept Lula’s victory.
The new government has ordered an investigation into Bolsonaro, who has for years tried to cast doubt on Brazil’s electronic voting system, which has historically won worldwide praise.
Bolsonaro’s last justice minister, Anderson Torres, was also visiting the United States during the riots and was arrested upon his return.
– Unpleasant to many Democrats –
Asked about Bolsonaro’s application, the State Department said visa records are confidential under US law.
“Therefore, we cannot discuss the details of individual visa cases,” said a State Department spokesperson.
Thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed the presidential palace, Congress and Supreme Court buildings in Brasilia in an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow Lula.
Several lawmakers from Biden’s Democratic Party have publicly called on the administration to deport Bolsonaro back to Brazil, saying he no longer has the right to live in the United States as head of state.
A letter signed by lawmakers including Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Joaquin Castro said, “The United States should condemn any authoritarians who inspire such violence against them, or against democratic institutions.” should not be given shelter.” Prominent Progressive Democrat.
Brazilians require a visa to enter the United States, including as tourists.
Bolsonaro, who lives in Florida and was one of the closest international allies of former President Donald Trump, has made baseless allegations about election rigging.
The Brasilia riot shows an uprising at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 by Trump supporters who did not accept their defeat from President Joe Biden.
Steve Bannon, a far-right populist strategist working for Trump, has developed close ties with Bolsonaro’s supporters and raised questions about last year’s Brazilian election.
However, Bolsonaro has kept a largely low profile since moving to Florida. He is staying at former Brazilian martial arts champion José Aldo’s Orlando home near Disney World and has been photographed eating fried chicken alone at a KFC restaurant.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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