Brazil Rejects US Pressure Over Bolsonaro Conviction

Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court on September 11, 2025, convicted former President Jair Bolsonaro of orchestrating a coup attempt to remain in power after his 2022 electoral defeat, sentencing him to more than 27 years in prison. The verdict, delivered by a panel of five justices, marks the first time a Brazilian leader has been convicted on such charges, following a two-year investigation into Bolsonaro’s actions and the violent storming of government buildings by his supporters in January 2023.

The ruling has triggered a sharp response from the United States, with President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio denouncing the conviction as a “witch hunt” and threatening further sanctions. The U.S. administration has already imposed a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian goods and announced visa revocations and Magnitsky sanctions targeting Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who presided over the case. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt even suggested the possibility of “military means” to defend free expression abroad, a statement dismissed by Brazilian officials as inflammatory and unworthy of response.

President Lula, in a televised interview, categorically rejected U.S. interference, stating, “The president of one country cannot interfere in the decisions of another sovereign nation. The United States must understand it is not dealing with a banana republic.” Lula emphasized that Brazil’s judiciary operates independently and that the executive branch cannot intervene in legal proceedings. He further asserted that he does not fear U.S. sanctions and called accusations against Brazil “false.”

The conviction has deepened divisions within Brazil, where Bolsonaro’s political influence remains significant despite his legal troubles and house arrest. Polls indicate the country is nearly evenly split on whether Bolsonaro should be imprisoned, and his supporters have continued to rally in large numbers, viewing him as a symbol of the right-wing movement. Some allies are pushing for an amnesty bill to restore his political rights, while others are positioning alternative candidates for the 2026 presidential race.

Internationally, the case has become a flashpoint for debates over judicial independence and foreign intervention in domestic affairs. Analysts note that the U.S. response marks a departure from decades of American policy supporting democracy in Latin America, raising concerns about the precedent it sets for bilateral relations and regional stability.

Despite mounting external pressure, Brazilian authorities have reiterated their commitment to upholding the rule of law. The foreign ministry issued a statement declaring that threats from Washington “will not intimidate our democracy,” underscoring Brazil’s resolve to defend its institutions against outside influence.

As Bolsonaro’s legal team prepares to appeal the conviction, the case continues to reverberate through Brazil’s political landscape, testing the resilience of its democratic institutions and the boundaries of international diplomacy.