Brazil's Supreme Court has ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to serve house arrest following allegations of his involvement in a coup plot. The move has drawn strong criticism from the US government, which emphasized accountability for actions that threaten democracy.
US Criticism Intensifies as Brazil's Ex-President Jair Bolsonaro Faces House Arrest
US Criticism Intensifies as Brazil's Ex-President Jair Bolsonaro Faces House Arrest
The US government condemns Brazil's Supreme Court decision to place former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest amid coup allegations.
Brazil's Supreme Court has imposed house arrest on former President Jair Bolsonaro as he faces serious allegations of attempting to orchestrate a coup, which he refutes vehemently. The ruling, delivered by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, was primarily prompted by Bolsonaro's noncompliance with earlier restraining orders. Following the court's decision, Bolsonaro’s legal representatives maintained that he had not violated any such orders and pledged to challenge the ruling.
The US State Department swiftly condemned the house arrest in a statement released on social media platform X, asserting their intent to hold accountable anyone enabling actions contrary to democratic principles. This decision coincides with former President Donald Trump labeling Bolsonaro's trial a “witch-hunt” and enforcing a 50% tariff on select Brazilian goods despite maintaining a trade surplus with Brazil.
Justice Moraes’ ruling highlighted how Bolsonaro allegedly leveraged the online platforms of his associates, including his sons, to propagate messages that incited violence against the Supreme Court and encouraged foreign intervention in Brazil's judicial matters. Demonstrations supporting Bolsonaro occurred across major Brazilian cities where his son Flávio, currently a senator, resonated with the crowd by connecting Bolsonaro on speakerphone during a rally. He also faced scrutiny after sharing and then deleting a video featuring his father, a move cited as a flagrant breach of the imposed restrictions.
In addition to house arrest, Bolsonaro has been prohibited from accepting visitors beyond those legally permitted and from directly using a mobile phone. Moraes asserted that the court would not tolerate any attempts to undermine justice, emphasizing that political and economic influence would not prevent accountability. The close rapport between Trump and Bolsonaro during their presidencies further complicates the situation, as Trump expressed his solidarity with Bolsonaro, exonerating him from any wrongdoing and commending his dedication to Brazil.
