Brazilian ex-president Bolsonaro now resides under domestic detention
In a dramatic turn of events, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been placed under house arrest by the Supreme Court on August 4, 2025. The decision comes after an investigation into Bolsonaro's alleged involvement in a plot to overturn the 2022 presidential election results, which he lost to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Bolsonaro is accused of leading a criminal conspiracy that included plans to assassinate top officials, shut down democratic institutions, and incite unrest through social media, all linked to the January 2023 insurrection at government buildings in Brasília. He vehemently denies these charges, calling the prosecution a political witch hunt.
The trial against Bolsonaro has sparked a diplomatic row with the United States, as former U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the trial, imposed tariffs on Brazilian goods, and sanctioned Brazilian justices. The U.S. government has publicly characterized the charges against Bolsonaro as unjust and politically motivated, arguing that they undermine Brazil's rule of law and threaten democratic processes, including the upcoming 2026 election.
The house arrest order has been met with criticism from the U.S. State Department, which accuses Judge Alexandre de Moraes of abusing Brazilian institutions to suppress the opposition and endanger democracy. Bolsonaro's son, Flávio, has described the court's decision as Brazil being "officially in a dictatorship."
Bolsonaro must serve his house arrest at his residence and can only be visited by lawyers and close relatives. Since mid-July, he has been under strict conditions, including a nighttime curfew, a ban on contact with diplomats, and an electronic ankle bracelet. The latest breaches by Bolsonaro are considered "active political interference" by the judiciary. He must continue to wear an electronic ankle bracelet and hand over all mobile phones in the household.
The case against Bolsonaro remains open with a verdict expected by the end of 2025. Evidence includes wiretaps and videos collected under "Operation Counter-coup." This controversy marks a significant moment in Brazilian politics, with international implications, particularly with the United States.
[1] BBC News. (2025). Jair Bolsonaro placed under house arrest over coup plot allegations. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-62525029
[2] The Guardian. (2025). Jair Bolsonaro placed under house arrest in Brazil coup plot investigation. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/04/jair-bolsonaro-placed-under-house-arrest-in-brazil-coup-plot-investigation
- The house arrest of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in August 2025, amidst allegations of a plot to overturn the 2022 presidential election results, is causing a rift in international politics, especially with the United States.
- The ongoing trial of Bolsonaro, marked by evidence such as wiretaps and videos, has resulted in a diplomatic row between Brazil and the US, with the US government characterizing the charges as unjust and politically motivated.
- The politics surrounding Bolsonaro's house arrest have escalated, with the US State Department accusing Judge Alexandre de Moraes of abusing Brazilian institutions and Bolsonaro's son, Flávio, describing the court's decision as Brazil being "officially in a dictatorship."
