Although living in the United States for more than a month, Jair Bolsonaro intends to continue to weigh in the public debate in Brazil. The former president has indeed affirmed his intention to remain involved in the politics of his country, Tuesday during a reception in Florida.
“I am 67 years old and I intend to remain active in Brazilian politics,” he promised in front of some 400 supporters gathered in Orlando by Yes Brazil USA, a conservative organization of Brazilian expatriates in the United States.
Bolsonaro considers himself “more popular than ever”
Defeated in the last presidential election by Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Jair Bolsonaro, who left Brazil on December 30, two days before the inauguration of his opponent, continues to question the result of the ballot. “Many people are still shaken by what happened in the elections (…) But we will face this moment and, God willing, we will win together”, he said, considering himself “more popular than ever “.
Nine days after his departure, thousands of his supporters swept through the capital Brasilia, ransacking places of power such as the presidential palace, the Congress and the Supreme Court. “I regret what some inconsistent people did on January 8,” Jair Bolsonaro again denounced.
This exit of the ex-president comes two weeks after he was included in an investigation by the Supreme Court of Brazil, to determine his role in the assaults of Brasilia. A magistrate notably cited as evidence a video published on social networks in which Jair Bolsonaro questions the outcome of the election.
Lula’s predecessor has been keeping a rather low profile since moving to Orlando, where he lives in a home of former Brazilian martial arts fighter José Aldo. On Monday, he applied for an additional six-month visa to stay in the United States, according to his lawyer.