A day after Brazil saw supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro storming the government buildings in the federal capital of Brasilia, reports have emerged that Bolsonaro has been admitted to a hospital in Florida with abdominal pain.
The former president, who flew to the US 48 hours before his office term ended, has been admitted to a hospital in Orlando after his intestinal pains related to a stabbing he suffered during the 2018 election campaign worsened, reported Reuters.
Bolsonaro's wife Michelle took to Instagram to confirm the news. She posted a picture, saying that her husband was under observation due to abdominal discomfort. According to the BBC, his condition was not worrying.
Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on US President Joe Biden from members of his party to remove Mr Bolsonaro from the country.
Democratic Representative Joaquin Castro and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are two Democrats who have called for Bolsonaro to be sent back to Brazil. "Bolsonaro should not be in Florida," Democratic Representative Joaquin Castro told CNN.
"The United States should not be a refuge for this authoritarian who has inspired domestic terrorism in Brazil. He should be sent back to Brazil."
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had tweeted that the US should "cease granting refuge to Bolsonaro in Florida".
Meanwhile, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Monday that the US has received "no official request" from the Brazilian government with regard to Bolsonaro's visa.
Reports said he has been residing at a property owned by a professional mixed-martial arts fighter since his arrival in the US in December end.
Pro-democracy march
Thousands of Brazilians on Monday took out pro-democracy rallies seeking the arrest of Bolsonaro in the country's largest city of São Paulo. The demonstrations come as a response to the storming of Congress by the rioters.
The protestors, many of who came dressed in red, waved placards saying "No amnesty for the coup mongers" and called for those responsible to be punished. "I don't agree with what happened in Brasília - it was a nightmare. I don't agree with those who believe that with democracy you can use your power to destroy democracy," Gabriel, one of the protestors, told the BBC.
Meanwhile, the Brazilian authorities arrested 1,200 people on Monday - in addition to 300 detained a day earlier.
