Washington responded by imposing visa restrictions on Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and other allies. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Moraes’ actions as a “political witch hunt” and announced immediate visa revocations for Moraes and his associates.
The Supreme Court has not yet commented on these developments. Trump’s attempt to support Bolsonaro by imposing a 50% tariff on goods from Brazil has further escalated tensions.
Bolsonaro believes the court orders are a response to Trump’s criticism of his trial before the Supreme Court. The crackdown on Bolsonaro suggests that Trump’s tactics are failing in Brazil, causing public support to rally behind the leftist government.
Bolsonaro is prohibited from contacting foreign officials, using social media, or approaching embassies. He was also subjected to a home raid and given an ankle monitor over concerns of him fleeing the country.
In an interview, Bolsonaro criticized Moraes and the court orders, calling them acts of “cowardice” and expressing his humiliation at wearing an ankle monitor. He denied plans to leave the country but expressed interest in meeting with Trump.
Moraes imposed the restrictions on Bolsonaro due to accusations of seeking foreign interference in Brazilian courts, which he deemed an attack on national sovereignty. Bolsonaro is facing trial for allegedly plotting a coup to prevent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office in 2023.
Trump has urged Brazil to halt the legal proceedings against Bolsonaro, threatening higher tariffs if the trial continues. Moraes accused Trump of attempting to create an economic crisis in Brazil to influence the judicial system.
Bolsonaro is also barred from contacting key allies, including his son Eduardo Bolsonaro. He denied any orchestrated US lobbying efforts on his behalf and suggested his son may seek US citizenship to avoid returning to Brazil.
A panel of Supreme Court judges upheld Moraes’ decision on Friday afternoon.
