The far-right former president has been in the US since December after losing the 2022 presidential election.
Brazil’s former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro will return to the country later this month, ending an extended stay in the United States, according to a social media post from his Liberal Party.
The Liberal Party announced on Friday that Bolsonaro would fly back to the Brazilian capital after spending more than three months in the United States following his electoral defeat by current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was inaugurated in January.
“Our national president, Valdemar Costa Neto, confirms to everyone that Jair Bolsonaro will return to Brazil on March 30. Bolsonaro will disembark in Brasilia at 7:30 a.m [11:30 GMT]’ the Liberal Party said on social media.
Bolsonaro’s self-imposed exile has been the subject of speculation in Brazil, where he has been accused of undermining democracy and inciting his supporters to mount efforts to reverse his loss to Lula, culminating in a January 8 uprising. On this day, Bolsonaro’s supporters stormed three important government buildings in Brasilia and called for a putsch.
Bolsonaro is examined for his alleged role in inciting violence and has nevertheless stayed in the United States notice of his return several times to Brazil.
Earlier this month Bolsonaros son Flavio wrote in a social media post that his father would be returning to Brazil by March 15, but quickly deleted the message, explaining that the date was “likely but unconfirmed.”
The former leader is also the subject of a police investigation Investigating allegations that his government officials tried to bring millions in jewelry into the country after a trip to Saudi Arabia in 2021 without declaring it.
On Friday, a Bolsonaro representative said the former president handed over the jewelry to a state bank on orders from a state regulator.
Federal police and prosecutors are trying to determine whether Bolsonaro attempted to obtain the jewelry without paying taxes on it and whether the bullets, a gift from Saudi Arabia, should have been transferred to the president’s public collection.
On Wednesday, the watchdog said Bolsonaro had five days to hand over the jewels.
Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing and previously stated he was “crucified” for a gift he never asked for.
