Bolsonaro Faces Increasing Scrutiny Amid Allegations of Coup Attempt and Asylum Plans

Brazilian authorities claim former President Jair Bolsonaro intended to seek asylum in Argentina to dodge legal proceedings, with new allegations surfacing about his and his son’s attempts to undermine the coup trial against him. Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing, asserting he is a victim of political persecution.

 

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, 70, and his son Eduardo Bolsonaro, 41, find themselves embroiled in serious allegations from Brazilian police, who accuse them of obstructing justice in an ongoing trial involving Bolsonaro's purported coup attempt following his defeat in the 2022 presidential election. The police have revealed findings from a lengthy 170-page report, indicating that a document discovered on Jair Bolsonaro's mobile phone points to plans to escape criminal charges by seeking asylum in neighboring Argentina.

Law enforcement further alleges that Eduardo Bolsonaro endeavored to influence the Trump administration on his father's behalf, which they claim resulted in punitive tariffs being imposed on imports from Brazil. This report emerges just days before the trial's concluding phase, intensifying scrutiny on the political figure.

Though Jair Bolsonaro categorically denies any conspiracy to undermine democracy, he is vocal about what he characterizes as an unfair trial, accusing the Supreme Court justices of prejudice. He insists he never contemplated fleeing the country, despite police presenting a draft asylum request addressed to Argentine President Javier Milei, allegedly written shortly after Bolsonaro was stripped of his passport in February 2024.

The draft, while undated, indicates a clear intention to seek refuge, according to law enforcement, although it is unclear if it was formally submitted. An Argentine government representative has stated that they have no record of receiving such a request. Given the gravity of the situation, Judge Alexandre de Moraes overseeing the case has asked Bolsonaro's legal team for a response to these allegations within a 48-hour window.

Currently under house arrest, Bolsonaro faces a ban on social media interactions and communication with Eduardo due to previous breaches. Eduardo has been residing in the United States for nearly six months, and he took to social media to refute the claims against him, asserting his actions were aimed solely at promoting individual freedoms in Brazil, not influencing legal processes.

While Bolsonaro grapples with these serious challenges, the political landscape continues to shift, as international relations and domestic governance entwine amid ongoing scrutiny of justice in Brazil.