Brazil’s Supreme Court has determined that Jair Bolsonaro violated court-ordered restrictions related to his ongoing coup case.
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been placed under house arrest by order of the Supreme Court. He is currently on trial for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2022 election results following his defeat.
The case has sparked tensions with the United States after President Donald Trump described it as a “witch hunt” and imposed significant 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods.
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ruled on Monday that Bolsonaro must remain under house arrest and is prohibited from using cell phones. He is also barred from receiving visitors, except for his legal team and those authorized by the court.
Moraes stated that Bolsonaro violated the judicial precautionary measures imposed last month by using his sons’ social media accounts to publish messages “clearly encouraging and instigating attacks on the Federal Supreme Court and overtly supporting foreign intervention in the Brazilian Judiciary.”
Last week, the U.S. president accused Brazil of human rights abuses and unfairly persecuting Bolsonaro, leading to the 50% tariff on Brazilian goods – the highest rate currently imposed by the U.S.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has criticized Trump’s attempts to use tariffs to exert pressure on Brazil regarding Bolsonaro’s trial.
Speaking at a Workers’ Party event in Brasilia on Sunday, Lula accused Washington of using Brazil’s internal affairs as an excuse for sanctions, emphasizing that the U.S. “already helped stage a coup” in the country.
He stated that the U.S. aims to “end multilateralism” and revert to “country-to-country deals where the big dominate the small.” Lula added that Brazil is no longer economically dependent on the U.S. and, while open to negotiation, will do so on “equal terms,” reiterating his commitment to reducing reliance on the dollar.
Trump has repeatedly threatened additional 10% tariffs against BRICS members like Brazil, accusing them of trying to displace the U.S. dollar as the global reserve currency. The economic bloc has refuted these claims, asserting that Washington’s own political actions are undermining the dollar.
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