Either way, Bolsonaro won’t be eager to return to his homeland any time soon. Now that he is no longer president, his immunity has been lifted. At least four criminal investigations are underway in Brazil against Bolsonaro, including for fraud and his handling of the coronavirus crisis. So Bolsonaro is likely to be arrested on Brazilian soil. If he is ever found guilty, he will also lose his right to contest for political office.
So returning to Brazil poses a risk. If he stays in the US, it remains to be seen whether a Brazilian court will issue an arrest warrant. If Bolsonaro does not return home on his own, Brazil’s Interpol may press US federal agents to arrest and extradite him.
Bolsonaro’s other option is to apply for asylum in another country. The question is which Latin American country wants to do it. In most countries on the continent, left-wing governments are in power. After yesterday’s incident, the governments stressed their support for successor Lula da Silva. So far abroad?
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