The political climate between Brazil and the United States is escalating to a critical point. Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro stated that if his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, is convicted of "coup-mongering" in the trial beginning this Tuesday, President Donald Trump is prepared to respond with a series of economic and diplomatic sanctions.
In an interview with journalist Claudio Dantas, Eduardo emphasized that Trump has not yet deployed his full arsenal: "Trump hasn't even come close to activating all the mechanisms at his disposal to pressure Brazil," he warned.
Jair Bolsonaro,
Among the measures under consideration is the extension of the Magnitsky Act, which would allow freezing the assets in the United States of Judge Alexandre de Moraes—responsible for the case in the Supreme Court—as well as those of his wife, considered the "financial arm" of the magistrate, and of any judge who votes against Bolsonaro. According to the congressman, this scenario has already been discussed with the U.S. Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent.
The hardening would not be limited to the judicial sphere. With the insistence of the Lula regime on regulating social networks—despite the express opposition of the White House—, Eduardo warned that Brazil "is ticking all the boxes for a tariff increase". This is not an empty threat: Trump has already imposed tariffs of up to 50% on Brazilian imports, justifying them as what he called a "witch hunt" against Bolsonaro, president between 2019 and 2022.
Donald Trump, presidente de Estados Unidos.
From Washington, the State Department also spoke out in strong terms. In a statement, it denounced that Judge De Moraes's decisions "threaten democracy," by imposing house arrest on Bolsonaro and restricting his right to speak publicly. "Let Bolsonaro speak," demanded the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.
The measure of house arrest against Bolsonaro was ordered by the Supreme Federal Court after accusing him of violating precautionary measures. The former president faces investigations for his alleged involvement in the events of January 8, 2023, for drafting a supposed coup decree, and for the misappropriation of state jewels. As a result, he is prohibited from leaving his home at night and on weekends, using social networks, communicating with his son Eduardo, and approaching embassies.
In this context, Eduardo Bolsonaro was clear: "Trump won't back down without progress on the Brazilian side." For the former president's son, the real persecution lies in Lulismo, which blocks any attempt at a safe-conduct to get Jair out of Brazil.
