As Bolsonaro returned to Brazil for the first time since the riots, he was met by a small group of fans.

Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro returned to the country on Thursday for the first time since his election defeat that resulted in thousands of his supporters rioting in protest. He flew back to Brasilia from Florida, where he stayed for three months in self-imposed exile after he failed to win reelection in last year's presidential election. Military police were on high alert in and around the airport, setting up checkpoints on the main road as about 50 Bolsonaro supporters gathered to welcome him. One man on a motorcycle carrying a large Brazilian flag was turned away by police at the checkpoint. Bolsonaro then traveled to the headquarters of his center-right Liberal Party in Brasilia, where a small group of supporters were waiting outside to greet him.