Bolsonaro heading home to Brazil — and an uncertain future
Washington PostMar 30, 2023
Former Brazilian Pres. Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday arrived in Brasília, ending three months in Orlando, Fla., after being defeated in last year's tense presidential election that tested the stability of the country's democracy.
Welcomed back by hundreds of supporters at the airport, Bolsonaro is expected to lead his conservative Liberal Party (PL) into municipal elections next year, traveling around the country to preach PL's values in preparation for the 2026 elections.
Bolsonaro is facing a score of investigations in Brazil, and his return will only cause chaos in an already vulnerable country. With Bolsonaro back at the forefront of the Liberal Party, the far-right could be incentivized to take extreme actions, especially if he gets arrested or disqualified from running again for office. Meanwhile, even some of his supporters are skeptical about the defeated leader's ability to make a political comeback.
Those who believe Bolsonaro is some evil dictator should think about the fact that his successor — a socialist convicted felon who believes in stripping people of their rights to defend themselves and speak freely — is the one calling for his prosecution. Bolsonaro understands the grievances of patriotic citizens throughout the Americas, which is why the media and his foes have desperately tried to smear him ever since he first took office.