The ongoing dispute between the US and Brazil escalated on Friday after the Supreme Federal Court ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro — Donald Trump’s ally — to wear an electronic ankle monitor, deeming him a flight risk.
The court claims that Bolsonaro sought interference from the US president to undermine the Brazilian Judiciary — allegations that arise amid growing tensions between the two countries.
Police raided Bolsonaro’s home and his party’s headquarters early Friday morning, installing the tracking device on the far-right leader. The court also imposed a nighttime and weekend curfew and prohibited him from contacting foreign diplomats, visiting embassies, or using social media.
Bolsonaro, who faces accusations of plotting a coup to stay in power after losing the 2022 Brazilian presidential election, called the measures “supreme humiliation.” Speaking outside a federal police station, he denied planning to flee and stated that the US$14,000 found in his home was obtained legally.
On Thursday night, President Trump posted a letter on his Truth Social platform demanding the case be dropped. He has repeatedly threatened 50% tariffs on Brazilian products if the prosecution proceeds. “I will be watching closely,” Trump wrote.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva hit back, calling Trump’s threats “blackmail” and promising not to yield to foreign pressures.
“No gringo is going to give orders to this president,” Lula said to an ecstatic crowd, using the common Brazilian slang for foreigners.
Lula says Brazil is considering retaliatory tariffs on US products, including tech companies. The confrontation has helped revive his sagging popularity, as many Brazilians see Trump’s comments as excessive interference.
“US observers are underestimating the power of Brazilian nationalism,” said political scientist Oliver Stuenkel of FGV University. “There is a strong backlash to what is seen as aggressive interference from Trump.”
Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the Supreme Federal Court judge overseeing Bolsonaro’s case, is becoming an increasing target of US conservatives for his crackdown on disinformation and social media platforms. Trump’s media company, Trump Media and Technology Group, even filed a lawsuit against him in a Florida court, accusing him of violating free speech.
Meanwhile, Bolsonaro’s son, Eduardo — currently in the US — has been pressuring Trump to pressure Brazilian institutions. In a statement posted on social media, Eduardo called for Brazil to “act like a worthy democracy.”
But now he is prohibited from speaking with his father. The court order prohibits Bolsonaro from contacting other defendants, including his son, who also claims to be a victim of political persecution.
Source: npr.org by Carrie Kahn