WASHINGTON, Jan 30 (Reuters) – Former Brazilian 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 the revocation of any U.S. visas. Americans detained by Bolsonaro after violent protests. in Brasilia.
The United States received his application on Friday, said his lawyer, Felipe Alexandre, 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 US for a few months before deciding what his next step will be,” Alexandre said in an emailed response to Reuters.
“Whether or not he uses 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 applied for a tourist visa.
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A State Department spokesperson said visa records are confidential under US law, adding that the department cannot discuss details of individual visa cases. See the article : Commentary: As the World changes, so will the United States.
[1/2] Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro during a ceremony on the National Education Policy at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Brazil, June 20, 2022. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Far-right Bolsonaro flew to Florida two days before his term ends on Jan. 1 and leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva takes office, before supporters of the former president swarmed the nation’s capital.
Bolsonaro supporters ransacked Brazil’s Congress, Supreme Court and presidential palace, calling for a military coup to overturn Lula’s won October election.
Brazil’s Supreme Court has agreed to open an investigation into Bolsonaro for allegedly encouraging anti-democratic protests that ended with his supporters storming government buildings in Brasilia.
Earlier this month, 41 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives called on U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration on Thursday to cooperate with Brazil’s investigation into violent protests in Brasilia and to revoke any U.S. visas held by Bolsonaro.
The State Department has repeatedly said its policy is not to discuss specific visa cases.
The State Department said it is up to an individual who entered the United States on the so-called “A” visa reserved for diplomats and heads of state to leave the country within 30 days or apply for a change of immigration status if he is no longer involved. in official business. Bolsonaro is believed to have entered with this visa.
Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Aurora Ellis
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