Forty-one Democratic members of the US House of Representatives asked president Joe Biden's administration on Thursday to cooperate with Brazil's investigation into violent protests in Brasilia and revoke any US visas held by former president Jair Bolsonaro.
They sent a letter calling on the administration to support democracy and the rule of law in Brazil. "Furthermore, we must not allow Mr. Bolsonaro or any other former Brazilian officials to take refuge in the United States to escape justice for any crimes they may have committed when in office," the letter said.
Far-right Bolsonaro flew to Florida two days before his term ended on January 1st and leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office.
Supporters of Mr Bolsonaro ransacked Brazil's Congress, Supreme Court and presidential palace on Sunday, calling for a military coup to overturn the October election that Mr Lula won.
State Department and White House officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter.
The State Department has said repeatedly its policy is not to discuss specific visa cases. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that Washington had not received any specific requests from Brazil over Mr Bolsonaro.
Mr Bolsonaro has said on social media that he would return to Brazil earlier than planned for medical reasons. He has denied inciting his supporters and said the rioters "crossed the line".
The letter was led by US Representatives Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat and former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Joaquin Castro, Ruben Gallego, Chuy Garcia and Susan Wild.
Mr Biden joined other world leaders in condemning Sunday's violence in Brazil.
Supporters of former Brazilian far-right President Jair Bolsonaro visit in front of the home where he is staying in the gated community of Encore Resort at Reunion after being released from the hospital on January 11, 2023 in Kissimmee, Florida.
