Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has applied for a tourist visa to extend his stay in the US, his lawyer said on Monday, amid calls to eject the far-right leader after violent Brasilia protests over his election defeat.
Mr Bolsonaro will stay in the US while his six-month visa extension, which was filed on Friday, is processed, lawyer Felipe Alexandre said.
"He would like to take some time off, clear his head and enjoy being a tourist in the United States for a few months before deciding what his next step will be," Mr Alexandre told Reuters.
"Whether or not he will use the full six months will be up to him and whatever strategy we agree to embark on will be based on his plans as they develop."
The Financial Times first reported that Mr Bolsonaro had requested a tourist visa.
The US State Department does not discuss specific visa cases because of confidentiality.
Mr Bolsonaro flew to Florida two days before his term ended on January 1 and leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office, before the former president's supporters stormed the country's capital.
They ransacked Brazil's Congress, Supreme Court and presidential palace on January 8, calling for a military coup to overturn the October election that Mr da Silva narrowly won.
Mr Bolsonaro has still not officially conceded defeat.
-
A meeting of the University of Sao Paulo Collective in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The collective invited all citizens, social and democratic entities, parties and movements to speak out against supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro who attacked government institutions in Brasilia on Sunday. EPA -
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva meets government ministers and other officials following the riot. Getty Images -
Workers clear debris left by pro-Bolsonaro supporters during the riot. Getty -
Damaged portraits hang in the Brazilian National Congress after the riot, in which more than 1,200 people were detained. Getty -
Damage to the Brazilian National Congress following the riot. Getty -
Workers clear debris after the riot. Getty -
Mr da Silva has called for peace after what he described as a coup attempt. Getty -
Damage to the Brazilian National Congress caused by the riot. Getty -
Agents inspect a room inside Planalto Palace, the office of the President. AP -
Photos of former Brazilian presidents lay scattered on the floor of the lobby of Planalto Palace. AP -
Supporters of Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro demonstrate against President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia. Protesters pushed through police barricades and stormed into the Congress, presidential palace and Supreme Court buildings on Sunday. Reuters -
Bolsonaro supporters are detained. Reuters -
The security forces take action as supporters of Jair Bolsonaro demonstrate outside Brazil’s National Congress building in Brasilia. Reuters -
Brazil's Supreme Court building was one of those attacked. AFP -
President Lula da Silva in the presidential palace after it was stormed by supporters of Jair Bolsonaro. AP -
Supporters of Jair Bolsonaro invading several governmental building are confronted by the security forces in Brasilia. AFP -
Members of the security forces confront Bolsonaro supporters. AFP -
The scenes were reminiscent of the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol building by supporters of then-president Donald Trump, an ally of Mr Bolsonaro. Reuters -
The security forces make arrests. AFP -
A supporter of Jair Bolsonaro inside the presidential palace. Reuters -
Hundreds of Bolsonaro backers have refused to accept leftist Mr da Silva's election victory. Reuters -
Some of the demonstrators ransacked offices and smashed windows. Reuters -
Police confront supporters of Jair Bolsonaro invading the presidential palace. EPA -
Some Bolsonao supporters ransacked offices and caused damage. Reuters -
A police vehicle crashes into a fountain as Bolsonaro supporters invade the National Congress building. AFP -
Startling images on social media showed a tide of people storming the national Congress, many waving Brazilian flags. AFP
Brazil's Supreme Court has agreed to open an investigation into Mr Bolsonaro for allegedly encouraging anti-democratic protests in Brasilia.
More than 40 Democratic members of the US House of Representatives have asked President Joe Biden's administration to co-operate with Brazil's investigation into the violent protests in Brasilia and revoke any US visas held by Mr Bolsonaro.
Mr Bolsonaro has received medical treatment since arriving in the US.
The State Department has said it is incumbent on a person who entered the US on an "A" visa reserved for diplomats and heads of state to depart the country within 30 days or apply for a change of immigration status if they are no longer engaged in official business.
Mr Bolsonaro is believed to have entered the US on such a visa.
Agencies contributed to this report
