Lula does not last and there is post-attack injustice, says Bolsonaro – 02/01/2023 – Politics

In his first public event since leaving Brazil for the United States, former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) stated that the new Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) government “will not last long”, said there injustice in the processes of the attacks in Brasilia on January 8 and stated that he will remain in the country for longer.

Bolsonaro spoke to supporters this Tuesday (31) at an event center in Orlando, at an event organized by the group Yes Brazil USA. Tickets were sold for between US$ 10 (regular entry) and US$ 50 (VIP entry).

“You can be sure, in a short time we will have news. By itself, if this government [Lula] continuing in the line that it demonstrated in these first 30 days will not last long”, he said.

The former president criticized the authors of the attacks on the headquarters of the three Powers in Brasília, but stated that there were injustices. “We regret what some inconsequential people did on January 8. That is not our right. It is not our people,” he said, before making the reservation.

“[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.”

Bolsonaro has not openly said that he believes in fraud in the election, but he said he had doubts about the result, again without presenting evidence in this regard. “I’ve never been so popular [como] last year. Much higher than 2018. In the end, we are left with a question mark in our heads, “he said.

The former representative asked for a tourist visa to stay longer in the United States, where he has been since the end of last year, according to his lawyers. He said this Tuesday that he will stay longer in the country. “I’ve been here for 30 days, I intend to stay for a while longer. I’m not sure how much longer. I miss my country a lot,” he said.

In the audience was the blogger Allan dos Santos, fugitive from Brazilian justice since 2021. Bolsonaro addressed him directly at one point in the speech. “What have I come across, Allan dos Santos? Several Brazilians who want to return to Brazil, but are afraid of their freedom there in our country,” he said.

Bolsonaro also defended the election of his ally Rogério Marinho (PL-RN) to the command of the Senate, and said that the vote this Wednesday is “very important for all of us Brazilians”. The election in the House takes place this Wednesday (1st).

Asked if he intends to run again in 2026, the former president left the answer open, but said he will remain active.

“I believe he left many leaders for Brazil. There are many good people who are arriving in Congress, who were elected to the Executive. [eleição municipal em] 2024 ahead, 2024 is very important. We cannot abandon politics. Politics is part of our lives. I am 67 years old and intend to remain active in Brazilian politics.”

Bolsonaro maintained the line he had been taking with supporters who held a vigil in front of the house where he is staying, praising the achievements of his government and criticizing opponents. He was received and applauded with shouts of “myth”, heard the national anthem and participated in a prayer.

He even took the opportunity to criticize the press by saying that journalists would be “waiting for a small sentence from me to make a fuss tomorrow”.

The Bolsonaro family has already announced a second event with the former president, this time in Miami, next Friday (3). The visa claimed by Bolsonaro’s lawyers, B2, does not allow him to carry out paid activity in the United States, which legally prevents him from receiving payment for participating.

He traveled to the US on December 30, 2022, the day before leaving the Presidency, and, breaking a democratic tradition, he did not hand over the presidential sash to his successor, President Lula.