Brasilia, Brazil
CNN
—
Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday claimed he would not lead the nation’s opposition as he boarded a flight residence for the first time since his election defeat that culminated in hundreds of his supporters rioting in protest on the outcome.
Bolsonaro, who denies inciting violent attacks within the capital Brasilia on January 8, faces an investigation into his alleged involvement upon his return, amongst different authorized troubles. Meanwhile, Brazilian authorities stated safety could be stepped up and have urged his supporters not to greet the previous chief on the airport in Brasilia on Thursday morning.
Speaking to CNN affiliate CNN Brasil at Florida’s Orlando airport late Wednesday, Bolsonaro stated he wouldn’t lead the opposition to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva on his return – regardless of rallying support from conservative activists and far-right teams throughout his three-month keep within the United States.
“You don’t have to oppose this government. This government is an opposition in itself,” Bolsonaro instructed CNN Brasil.
Instead, Bolsonaro stated he deliberate to assist his center-right Liberal Party “as an experienced person,” collaborating with “whatever they wish,” CNN Brasil quoted the previous president as saying. He added that he will tour the nation in preparation for subsequent 12 months’s municipal elections.
Bolsonaro’s return comes as political divisions run deep in Brazil after he left the country in December final 12 months simply days earlier than Lula’s inauguration.
Though he denounced the invasion of Brasilia by his supporters, within the days following the election he welcomed peaceable demonstrations whereas his celebration filed petitions for an audit of voting machines, alleging fraud. He fed his followers crumbs of misinformation about election fraud and made obscure feedback hinting at a possible coup.
The assaults in Brasilia bore similarities to the January 6, 2021 rebellion on the US Capitol in Washington, DC, when supporters of ex-US President Donald Trump – an in depth ally of Bolsonaro – stormed Congress in an effort to forestall the certification of his election defeat.
Brazil’s Supreme Court is investigating Bolsonaro’s alleged involvement within the Brasilia riots, notably to discover out who or how far-right mobs that help the ex-leader ended up ransacking the seats of presidency.
Bolsonaro can also be underneath scrutiny over jewellery he allegedly obtained as a present from the Saudi Arabian authorities whereas in workplace. On Wednesday, he denied any “irregularities,” stating that “the objects were registered,” CNN Brasil reported.
Brazilian federal prosecutors are additionally investigating whether or not Bolsonaro tried to smuggle two units of diamond jewels into the nation with out paying import taxes.
The polarizing politician is planning to greet his supporters upon arrival within the capital and is about to attend a reception hosted by his celebration earlier than going to his residence, CNN Brasil reported.
Brasilia’s public security chief Sandro Avelar urged Bolsonaro’s supporters not to disrupt the capital’s airport, the place 40,000 passengers fly by day by day.
“We urge you to respect this decision that was already taken, for the well being of the former president’s supporters and his own,” stated Avelar in a joint press convention with heads of Brazil’s safety forces on Wednesday.
Bolsonaro will use a separate entrance on the airport and will probably be escorted by federal police brokers. Avelar stated safety forces will probably be prepared to shut down the airport – and entry to the federal government district, if wanted.
A joint job power of army police, freeway patrol and different safety forces is working to safe the previous president’s arrival with minimal influence on the inhabitants and disruptions in site visitors and flights, he added.
According to federal police superintendent Cézar Luís Busto, Bolsonaro’s advisers have been in contact with authorities and are conscious of the plan. Busto stated he noticed no purpose for concern at this time.
The US Embassy in Brasilia issued a national “security alert” to its residents in Brazil on Wednesday, warning of studies that pro-Bolsonaro supporters will probably be within the neighborhood of the Brasilia International Airport.
In an announcement the embassy stated, “Brazilian authorities advise that access to airport will be limited and could potentially cause disruptions and delays. Please plan accordingly to account for these events.”