Bolsonaro, Brazil’s former president, has applied for U.S. tourist visa

By Daphne Psaledakis

WASHINGTON, Jan 30 (Reuters) – Former Brazil President
Jair Bolsonaro has applied for a six-month tourist visa to
remain in the United States, his lawyer said on Monday, despite
calls for any U.S. visas held by Bolsonaro to be revoked
following violent protests in Brasilia.

The United States received his application on Friday, his
lawyer, Felipe Alexandre, said, adding that Bolsonaro will
remain in the United States while his application is pending.

“He would like to take some time off, clear his head, and
enjoy being a tourist in the United States for a few months
before deciding what his next step will be,” Alexandre said in
an email response to Reuters.

“Whether or not he will use the full six months will be up
to him and whatever strategy we agree to embark on based on his
plans as they develop,” Alexandre added.

The Financial Times first reported that Bolsonaro had
requested a tourist visa.

A State Department spokesperson said visa records are
confidential under U.S. law, adding that the department cannot
discuss details of individual visa cases.

Far-right Bolsonaro flew to Florida two days before his term
ended on Jan. 1 and leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
took office, before the former president’s supporters stormed
the country’s capital.

Supporters of Bolsonaro ransacked Brazil’s Congress, Supreme
Court and presidential palace, calling for a military coup to
overturn the October election that Lula won.

Brazil’s Supreme Court has agreed to open an investigation
into Bolsonaro for allegedly encouraging anti-democratic
protests that ended in the storming of government buildings by
his supporters in Brasilia.

Earlier this month, 41 Democratic members of the U.S. House
of Representatives asked U.S. President Joe Biden’s
administration on Thursday to cooperate with Brazil’s
investigation into violent protests in Brasilia and revoke any
U.S. visas held by Bolsonaro.

The State Department has said repeatedly its policy is not
to discuss specific visa cases.

The State Department has said it was incumbent on an
individual who entered the United States on a so-called “A” visa
reserved for diplomats and heads of state to depart the country
within 30 days or apply for a change of immigration status if
they are no longer engaged in official business. Bolsonaro is
believed to have entered on such a visa.
(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Aurora Ellis)