Bolsonaro arrives in Brazil after 89 days in the United States – 03/30/2023 – Politics

After an 89-day stay in the United States, former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) returned to Brazil this Thursday morning (30) to try to lead the opposition to the Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) government, at the same time in which he will need to defend himself in investigations – ranging from the Saudi Arabia jewelry case to the January 8 attacks.

The commercial plane coming from Orlando landed at Brasília’s international airport at 6:38 am this Thursday. He must not leave through the traditional airport lounge, as determined by the security authorities. The former president must now go to the headquarters of the PL, where he participates in an event with supporters and supporters. The press will not be allowed to follow, at the request of Bolsonaro himself.

The Secretariat of Public Security of the Federal District prepared a special security scheme for the arrival of the former president.

Bolsonaro left for the United States on December 30, on the eve of the end of his presidential term. The objective was not to need to pass the presidential sash to Lula, thus ignoring the democratic rhythm of symbolically transferring power to his successor.

Since the electoral defeat to Lula, Bolsonaro has adopted a posture of seclusion, with rare public appearances. The silence of the then president, and his resistance to recognizing the result, helped fuel coup theories among his supporters — especially in the camps set up in front of barracks across the country.

He traveled to the United States on a FAB (Brazilian Air Force) plane, using the structure of the Presidency of the Republic.

During his stay in the United States, Bolsonaro stayed in the Orlando area (Florida), initially in the house that belongs to former MMA fighter José Aldo. He used to go out to talk to supporters who gathered in front of the residence. The former president also participated in conservative political events.

Such as Sheet showed, spending with public money for the ex-president’s trip was already close to R$ 1 million in February.

From American territory, he saw coup attacks promoted by his supporters, who invaded and destroyed the Planalto Palace, the National Congress and the STF (Federal Supreme Court). He condemned the acts, but said there were many injustices.

“[Tem] a lot of people being wronged there. That is not terrorism by our legislation. There are people who do have to be individualized, invasion, depredation, and each one paying for what they did”, he said at a conservative event.

Bolsonaro’s return was even announced a few times by himself and allies, who later backed down. The eldest son of the former president, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), even announced in early March that his father would return to Brazil on the 15th of the month. However, he pulled back 14 minutes later.

Bolsonaro will assume the position of Honorary President of the PL, with a salary of around R$ 40,000. He will live in a house inside a high-end condominium in Brasilia.

The former president will seek to lead the opposition to the Lula government. But he will also have to dedicate himself to defending himself against different investigations, including the January 8 attacks.

Bolsonaro himself was included in the investigation that investigates the instigation and intellectual authorship of the coup attacks, in a decision by Minister Alexandre de Moraes. What’s more, Bolsonaro will need to respond to lawsuits that could make him ineligible or even charged in criminal proceedings.

The former representative may respond for leaking confidential investigation data from the Federal Police, for interfering with the body, for spreading fake news, among other accusations. In the STF alone, six inquiries investigate Bolsonaro’s conduct that may constitute crimes. In addition, there are 16 other actions in the TSE (Superior Electoral Court) that can make you ineligible.

Bolsonaro will also need to face political wear and tear and answer for the case of jewelry coming from Saudi Arabia. This Wednesday (29), the former president and his former assistant, lieutenant colonel Mauro Cid, were summoned by the Federal Police to testify about the case. The depositions were scheduled for the 5th of April.

Through his lawyers, Bolsonaro delivered on March 24 to Caixa Econômica Federal in Brasília part of the jewelry he received as a gift from the Saudis in 2021. The kit includes a watch, pen, cufflinks, a ring and a type of rosary, all from the Swiss brand of Chopard diamonds.

On the same day, a weapons kit was delivered to the Federal Police, also by determination of the TCU (Union Court of Accounts).

The court also determined that the jewelry and watch set valued at BRL 16.5 million that would be for former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro, retained by the Revenue at Guarulhos airport (SP) in 2021, be sent to Caixa.