Brazil's Supreme Court vows to prosecute Bolsonaro and others implicated in coup allegations, despite Trump's influence
In the heart of South America, the Supreme Court of Brazil is facing unprecedented challenges, with the former President Jair Bolsonaro standing trial on criminal charges related to his 2022 runoff election. The proceedings have sparked international controversy, particularly from the United States, which views the judicial actions as unjust and politically motivated.
The United States government has accused Brazil's Supreme Court and officials of abusing judicial authority, pointing to arbitrary actions that include coercing U.S. companies to censor political speech, turn over sensitive user data, or change content moderation policies under threat of fines, prosecution, or market exclusion. These allegations have raised concerns over the erosion of democratic norms and the rule of law in Brazil, as well as the impact on American businesses and citizens connected to Brazil.
Supreme Court President Luis Roberto Barroso has reaffirmed the independence of the Judicial Power, while Justice Alexandre de Moraes, in charge of the coup process, has defended the transparency of the proceedings, stating it is developing in an "absolutely public" manner. De Moraes has also emphasized the courage of the Supreme Court, which "will not accept coercion or attempts at new coups d'état."
De Moraes has been a target of criticism from the US Administration, accused of being responsible for an oppressive censorship campaign, arbitrary detentions that violate human rights, and politicized judicial processes. The U.S. government has even gone as far as placing De Moraes under the Magnitsky Act for his involvement in acts of corruption or human rights violations.
Despite the international pressure, De Moraes has remained resolute, denouncing threats against Brazilian authorities and their families, stating the Supreme Court "will not bow down." In response to Trump's imposition of a 50% tariff on Brazil in retaliation for the trial against Bolsonaro, De Moraes has stated he will "ignore" the applied sanctions and continue working on the coup attempt case as before, without yielding to "threats."
The trial against Bolsonaro is scheduled for September or October, with the Supreme Court guaranteeing that it will judge Bolsonaro and the rest of the accused for the attempted coup before the end of the year. Bolsonaro faces a possible sentence of between 12 and 40 years in prison for the attempted coup.
The 11 magistrates of the Supreme Court of Brazil have returned to work after the July recess, amidst the storm over the sanctions imposed by the US Executive. The Attorney General of Brazil, Paulo Gonet, has expressed solidarity with De Moraes regarding the sanctions from Washington.
The Supreme Court of Brazil has rejected Trump's "interferences" in the judicial process of former president Jair Bolsonaro, emphasizing its commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting Brazil's democratic institutions. As the legal proceedings against Bolsonaro continue, the world watches as the Supreme Court of Brazil navigates these challenging times, standing firm against political pressure and foreign interference.
[1] Reuters. (2022, June 28). U.S. slams Brazil's Supreme Court over Bolsonaro probe, calls it politically motivated. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-slams-brasils-supreme-court-over-bolsonaro-probe-calls-it-politically-motivated-2022-06-28/
[2] The Washington Post. (2022, July 1). Brazil's Supreme Court justice accused of censorship orders against U.S. companies. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/brazils-supreme-court-justice-accused-of-censorship-orders-against-us-companies/2022/07/01/9c15a67c-180a-11ed-9a58-3a28f925905d_story.html
- The average citizen is concerned about the ongoing war-and-conflicts between the Brazilian Supreme Court and the United States Administration, with both sides accusing each other of politically motivated actions and human rights violations.
- The recent policy-and-legislation changes, such as the imposition of tariffs by former President Trump, have raised questions about the impact on general-news reporting and crime-and-justice investigations in Brazil.
- With the international controversy surrounding the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro, politics in Brazil remains at the forefront of general-news coverage and discussions, both domestically and internationally.
