Washington, DC [US], August 5 (ANI): The US State Department has strongly condemned the Brazilian Supreme Court’s decision to place former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest as he faces trial for allegedly plotting to overturn the 2022 presidential election results, CNN reported.
According to Justice Alexandre de Moraes, Bolsonaro violated court-imposed restrictions by using social media to spread messages, including video recordings in which his ankle monitor was visible. Moraes said the former president defied an order prohibiting the use of interviews or speeches posted on third-party social media platforms.
The court’s decision comes amid strained relations between Washington and Brasília, with the case against Bolsonaro—a right-wing populist—being invoked by US President Donald Trump as a sticking point in trade negotiations with Brazil.
On Monday, the US State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs issued a statement criticizing Justice Moraes, accusing him of using Brazil’s institutions “to silence opposition and threaten democracy.”
“Putting even more restrictions on Jair Bolsonaro’s ability to defend himself in public is not a public service. Let Bolsonaro speak!” the bureau wrote.
“The United States condemns Moraes’ order imposing house arrest on Bolsonaro and will hold accountable all those aiding and abetting sanctioned conduct,” it added.
Bolsonaro will now serve his house arrest at his residence, where he will not be allowed visitors except for his attorneys and individuals authorized by the court. He is also prohibited from using a cell phone, either directly or through intermediaries.
In February, Bolsonaro was charged in connection with an alleged coup plot aimed at overturning the 2022 election results and preventing his opponent, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, from assuming office. Prosecutors allege the plan included potential attempts to assassinate Lula, his vice president, and a Supreme Court minister. Bolsonaro has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
US President Donald Trump, a close ally of Bolsonaro, has publicly criticized the trial, calling it “politically motivated.” Last week, Trump signed executive actions imposing a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian goods, following through on a threat to escalate trade measures if the trial against Bolsonaro continued. (ANI)
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