Former Brazilian President Bolsonaro says he may return to Brazil in the coming weeks

The far-right politician has been in the U.S. since December 31, the eve of the inauguration of his leftist rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, as Brazil's current President

Former President Jair Bolsonaro said on February 11 he intends to return to Brazil “in the following weeks”.

The comment during an event at an evangelical church in Florida was the first time that Mr. Bolsonaro has made a statement in public about returning home.

The far-right politician has been in the U.S. since arriving in Orlando, Florida, on December 31, the eve of the inauguration of his leftist rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, as Brazil's current president.

Saturday's event was held entirely in Portuguese for a Brazilian crowd of Bolsonaro supporters living abroad and was organized by the right-wing organization Yes Brazil USA. Mr. Bolsonaro was cheered throughout the event.

There has been speculation during recent weeks on when Bolsonaro might return to Brazil, where is the subject of several investigations into possible wrongdoing.

He initially entered the U.S. on a one-month diplomatic visa, which ended January 31. He was accompanied by a team of presidential advisers and his wife, all of whom left Florida last month.

Lawyers for Mr. Bolsonaro told Brazilian media recently that they applied for a tourist visa to extend his stay in the U.S.