Mr. Bolsonaro left Brazil in October after losing the country’s presidential election and subsequently claimed that the electoral system was susceptible to fraud.
Former president Jair Bolsonaro has returned to Brazil, where he faces multiple investigations. Including those concerning his alleged involvement in inciting protests that resulted in his supporters storming multiple government buildings.
After three months in Florida, the 68-year-old former far-right ruler returned to Brazil.
He hopes to lead the right-wing opposition to President Lula da Silva, who defeated him in the October election.
In Brasilia, hundreds of Bolsonaro fans chanted for him on Thursday.
To prevent gatherings of his supporters, the federal district’s security secretariat mobilized hundreds of police officers and closed the Esplanade of Ministries, where government buildings are located.
The January assault on government buildings, which was compared to the Capitol Riots of 2021, followed weeks of protests over Mr. Bolsonaro’s loss to Mr. da Silva.
After declaring the election invalid, the former president allegedly incited rioters to attack government facilities.
President from 2003 to 2011, Mr. da Silva won with 50.9% of the vote.
Mr. Bolsonaro then left Brazil without handing over the presidential sash, defying custom.
The former president is under investigation for an alleged attempt to import and retain $3.2m (£2.6m) worth of jewelry gifts from Saudi Arabia that were seized by customs officials in 2021 because they were not declared.
Mr. Bolsonaro is also facing legal challenges for anti-democratic statements he made while serving as president. Including numerous unfounded claims that the electoral system was susceptible to deception.
If convicted in any of these cases, he will lose his political powers and be barred from running in the next election.
Mr. Bolsonaro maintained a low profile during his time in the United States. But he did deliver several speeches to Brazilian expatriates and conservatives. Including at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland.
For the first time in thirty years, the politician-turned-president does not occupy an elected position.
He told Brazilian television network Jovem Pan on Monday, “I’m without a mandate, but I’m not retired.”
His return to Brazil has been stalled due to legal issues, and some believe he may never return.
Steve Bannon, a longtime ally of Donald Trump and considered a global far-right strategist, told the Brazilian newspaper Folha de S.Paulo this week that Mr. Bolsonaro should have never left the country and that the investigations are unimportant.
According to Mayra Goulart da Silva, a political scientist at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Mr. Bolsonaro’s first goal will be to coalesce opposition to Mr. da Silva’s government.
The municipal elections of 2020 are a crucial stage toward gaining political momentum for a potential presidential run in 2026.
Mr. Bolsonaro is anticipated to endorse the mayoral candidates of his Liberal Party.
