President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) will extend his trip to the United States scheduled for next week and visit Orlando, Florida, next Saturday (11). There, he will inaugurate the headquarters of a vice consulate of Brazil and meet with supporters.
Bolsonaro travels to the United States to participate in the Summit of the Americas, the main meeting of the continent’s leaders, scheduled for June 6-10, in Los Angeles. He will also have his first bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden.
The president’s detailed agenda in Orlando has yet to be confirmed. On the same day of the visit, there will be the 1st Brazilian Conservative Congress in Florida. The event, to be held at a steakhouse in the same city, will be attended by deputy Daniel Silveira, Bolsonarista blogger Allan dos Santos and Roberto Jefferson, president of the PTB (Brazilian Labor Party). Deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PSL-SP) recorded a video in support of the meeting, organized by the right-wing group Yes Brazil USA.
President Bolsonaro granted Silveira pardon after the deputy was sentenced to 8 years and 9 months in prison, in addition to the payment of a fine and loss of political rights. The parliamentarian was accused of threatening members of the Supreme Court, and framed in the crimes of coercion (use of violence or threat to obtain an advantage in a judicial process) and of incitement to try to prevent the free exercise of powers.
Last week, Bolsonaro said he barely knew the deputy. “I have little contact with Daniel. I knew he was from Rio de Janeiro, a corporal in the PM, he had his positions, he said things I wouldn’t like to hear from him. Now, nine years in prison starting a closed regime, removal from office, ineligibility and a fine is abuse.”
Allan dos Santos is a fugitive from Brazilian justice. He has lived in the United States since he became the target of fake news investigations and attacks on institutions. He is investigated in two inquiries by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) — one to investigate the spread of fake news and the other to identify who finances these actions and anti-democratic acts. In October, court minister Alexandre de Moraes ordered his arrest, asked for his extradition and the inclusion of his name on the Interpol list of fugitives.
The creation of a vice consulate of Brazil in Orlando was determined in January, by a presidential decree. The measure aims to serve the large Brazilian population in the region, which currently needs to go to Miami to deal with bureaucratic issues, such as passport recovery.
As president, Bolsonaro visited Florida in March 2020, days before the outbreak of the pandemic crisis. On that occasion, he had dinner with then-President Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort and visited Miami. During the trip, he minimized the risks brought by the coronavirus. Days later, his entourage recorded about 20 infected by Covid.
