The presence of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL, right) in the United States has been the target of criticism from US congressmen after the acts of vandalism last Sunday, Jan. 8, when protesters invaded and depredated the Planalto Palace, the Supreme Court, and the Federal Congress, in the Praça dos Três Poderes in Brasilia.
Congressmen from the Democratic Party, the same President Joe Biden, said that the US should not grant Bolsonaro refuge and asked Biden to revoke the former president’s visa.
The letter says that the United States should not allow Bolsonaro or any other Brazilian official to take refuge in U.S. territory to escape trial for any crimes they may have committed while in office.
Last Monday, Jan. 9, the Brazilian Minister of Justice, Flavio Dino, said that the federal government is not planning to request Bolsonaro’s extradition since, as he explained, it is only possible to carry out such a measure for someone who responds to a criminal process and that Bolsonaro is not in that situation.
Despite criticism of his presence in the US, the house where Bolsonaro is staying in Orlando, Florida, has become a tourist spot.
On Thursday, Jan. 12, supporters of the former president were in front of the place hoping to see the politician, who left Brazil at the end of his term last year.
A group of Brazilians gathered to pray and sing the national anthem in front of the residence.