Bolsonaro plans to go to Italy in May

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, of Italian descent, said he plans to visit Italy on May 8, a date known in Europe as Victory Day, when the Allies won the Second World War. It will be an opportunity, he said, to visit the land of his forefathers, who are originally from the region of Lucca.

The information was given during an interview the president granted to RAI, Italy’s government-run broadcaster. He shared it on his Twitter account. “For the first time, I’ll be visiting the land of my grandparents,” Bolsonaro said.

Before his visit to Italy, Bolsonaro is expected to see, in Davos, Switzerland, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, who spearheaded the move to have former terrorist Cesare Battisti, 64, captured and extradited. Battisti was arrested in Bolivia last Saturday (Jan. 12).

“I’ll tell Conte he doesn’t have to thank me [for the extradition of Battisti]. We are the ones grateful, as he rid us of an individual who was a nuisance to most Brazilians. It’ll be a beautiful moment. I’m of Italian descent, my family is originally from Lucca, it’ll be great to meet him in Davos.”

“Brazil will not serve as shelter for thugs, criminals, or political prisoners—this is my message,” the present said during the interview.