Court Imposes Ankle Tag and Curfew on Former President Bolsonaro Amid Coup Charges

Bolsonaro's denial of wrongdoing and claims of political persecution have sparked a diplomatic confrontation with the U.S.

A Brazilian court has mandated that Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil, wear an ankle monitoring device and adhere to a nightly curfew as part of conditions set while he awaits trial. Bolsonaro, who held office from 2019 to 2022, is facing accusations of conspiring to stage a coup to block the inauguration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in 2023. He has categorically rejected these allegations.

Compounding the political drama, U.S. President Donald Trump has intervened by labeling the prosecution as a “witch hunt,” and has threatened to impose substantial tariffs on Brazilian imports. Additionally, the U.S. recently canceled visas for Brazilian judicial figures involved in this legal confrontation. Brazillian authorities raided Bolsonaro’s residence and political office on orders from the Supreme Court, which also prohibited him from using social media, contacting his son Eduardo Bolsonaro, and engaging with foreign diplomats.

Judge Alexandre de Moraes indicated that Bolsonaro and his son had worked together to incite sanctions against Brazilian officials. Bolsonaro’s legal team expressed their astonishment and indignation towards the court's ruling, asserting the former leader’s compliance with judicial requirements.

According to investigative statements from the Federal Police, Bolsonaro has attempted to obstruct justice, causing concerns regarding the integrity of the ongoing trial. In response to international tensions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced immediate revocations of visas for Moraes and his judicial allies. President Lula has countered Trump’s threats of tariffs, asserting Brazil's sovereignty and commitment to its legal systems.

Bolsonaro’s trial includes charges against him and seven associates connected to the violent protests that disrupted the political landscape shortly after Lula's inauguration. The accusations involve conspiracy to overthrow the government and destabilize Brazil’s democratic framework. If convicted, Bolsonaro could face a lengthy prison sentence.

In recent statements, Bolsonaro has labeled the allegations against him as “grave and baseless,” framing himself as a target of politically motivated attacks intended to sabotage his potential candidacy in the 2026 elections. He has previously condemned the idea of a coup as “abhorrent” and has distanced himself from the actions of his supporters, who jointly attempted to thwart Lula’s ascension to the presidency shortly after the election results were announced. Following the inauguration, rioters stormed key governmental institutions, igniting a federal investigation into these events and their orchestrators. Reports reveal findings of a coordinated effort aimed at maintaining Bolsonaro in power, prompting serious legal repercussions from the authorities.