In a significant legal development, a Brazilian court has mandated former President Jair Bolsonaro to wear an ankle monitor and observe a curfew as he faces serious allegations related to a coup attempt aimed at obstructing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s assumption of office in 2023. Bolsonaro, who served as president from 2019 to 2022, vehemently denies any wrongdoing.
The situation has gained international attention, particularly as former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly intervened on Bolsonaro’s behalf, labeling the case a “witch hunt” and threatening substantial tariffs on Brazilian imports. This interference escalated on Friday when the U.S. revoked visas for Brazilian officials involved in the judicial proceedings.
“This is supreme humiliation,” said Bolsonaro regarding the court’s restrictions, asserting he has never contemplated fleeing Brazil.
On the same day, Brazilian police executed a search warrant at Bolsonaro’s residence and political offices, following directives from the Supreme Court. Judge Alexandre de Moraes has also prohibited Bolsonaro from utilizing social media and communicating with his son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, who has been active in lobbying for his father abroad, as well as foreign diplomats and ambassadors.
Surveillance and legal restrictions intensify
Bolsonaro will now be subject to 24-hour monitoring and must adhere to the imposed nighttime curfew. Judge Moraes articulated concerns that Bolsonaro was working in conjunction with his son to orchestrate sanctions against Brazilian public officials, labeling their actions as deliberate and unlawful.
Bolsonaro’s legal team expressed “surprise and outrage” at the court’s ruling, asserting that their client has always adhered to judicial directives. The Federal Police allege that Bolsonaro has attempted to impede the trial, engaging in actions that may constitute coercion and obstruction of justice.
International repercussions and escalating tensions
In a statement late Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced immediate visa revocations for Judge Moraes and his associates, including their families. This decision follows President Biden’s recent threats of imposing a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, a move that Lula has countered by stating that he would reciprocate any tariffs imposed on Brazil. Lula emphasized Brazil’s sovereignty and the integrity of its judicial institutions, asserting that “no one is above the law.”
Trump also weighed in, sharing a letter on Truth Social where he characterized the criminal proceedings against Bolsonaro as political persecution, likening them to his own legal challenges. Bolsonaro is currently facing trial alongside seven others for their alleged involvement in the chaotic events that unfolded a week after Lula’s inauguration, which saw his supporters storming key government buildings in January 2023.
These eight individuals are facing multiple charges, including conspiracy to stage a coup, participation in an armed criminal organization, and attempts to violently dismantle Brazil’s democratic framework. If convicted, Bolsonaro, now 70, could face decades in prison.
The former president has consistently dismissed the charges as “grave and baseless,” framing himself as a target of political maneuvers designed to hinder his potential candidacy in the upcoming 2026 elections. He has publicly denounced any notions of a coup, reiterating during a court session in June that such actions are “abominable” and never discussed with military leaders.
Bolsonaro narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election to Lula but never formally conceded defeat. Following the election, many of his supporters camped outside military installations, advocating for intervention to prevent Lula’s inauguration. The unrest culminated a week later with an insurrection by Bolsonaro supporters, which authorities are investigating as part of a broader attempt to maintain Bolsonaro’s hold on power.
A comprehensive federal investigation into these riots has unveiled evidence of a “criminal organization” that acted in concert to sustain Bolsonaro’s presidency. A detailed report, which emerged in November 2024, accused Bolsonaro of orchestrating actions to effectuate a coup d’état and undermine Brazil’s democratic rule.
In February, Brazil’s Attorney General Paulo Gonet escalated the charges, asserting that Bolsonaro not only had knowledge of but also led efforts to unseat Lula, further complicating the former leader’s legal challenges.