Brazil’s former president, who is accused of inciting a violent movement to deny the election, told a crowd in Florida that he intends to return home soon.
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said Saturday he plans to return to Brazil “in the coming weeks” after spending more than a month in the United States.
Bolsonaro flew to Florida two days before incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was sworn in as the new president on January 1, and later applied for a six-month tourist visa to continue his stay in the US.
“There is no place like home… We know that Brazil is a fantastic country,” Bolsonaro told Brazilians gathered in Boca Raton, according to a video posted online by CNN.
“I also want to return to Brazil. I intend to return to Brazil in the coming weeks.”
A quick return to Brazil could pose risks for Bolsonaro, who has been accused of fueling a violent movement to deny elections in his country.
Brazil’s Supreme Court has agreed to open an investigation against Bolsonaro for allegedly inciting anti-democratic protests that ended with the storming of government buildings by his supporters in Brasilia.
His return plans have been called into question after his lawyer told the Reuters news agency last month that the former president would like to “enjoy tourism in the United States for a few months before deciding what his next step will be.”
However, a US official familiar with the situation told Reuters this week that officials believe Bolsonaro will return to Brazil after the Carnival festival, which ends on February 22.