The former leader, facing allegations of attempting to undermine the 2022 election results, has received backing from Donald Trump, the current President of the USA.
Supporters of ex-Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who leans far-right, have mobilized across major cities in Brazil, protesting against a Supreme Court trial that could imprison him for a significant period.
On Sunday, demonstrators in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and other urban centers waved both Brazilian and American flags, clearly signaling their alignment with Donald Trump, a pivotal ally of Bolsonaro.
These protesters displayed banners featuring the faces of both Bolsonaro and Trump, chanting slogans in support of their cause.
Bolsonaro stands accused of attempting to overturn the election won by his leftist rival, current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in 2022.
In a striking parallel to events in the USA, Bolsonaro’s supporters stormed Brazil’s Congress in January 2023, disrupting governmental proceedings and clashing with police, reminiscent of the 2021 U.S. Capitol riots.
A high-ranking Brazilian general testified that conspirators allegedly plotted to assassinate Lula and other officials.
The prosecution has argued that Bolsonaro, alongside seven accomplices, engaged in “armed criminal association” aimed at “violently disrupting the democratic order.”
A coup conviction carries a potential sentence of up to 12 years in prison, while additional charges could lead to even longer sentences for Bolsonaro.
Repeatedly, the former president has denied these allegations, claiming he is a victim of political witch hunts.
‘A Political Witch Hunt’
Bolsonaro’s claims of political victimization echo Trump’s own defenses during his legal troubles before the 2024 presidential race.
Al Jazeera’s Monica Yanakiew reported from São Paulo, revealing that protesters expressed gratitude towards Trump for his support.
“Numerous American flags are visible, with people chanting ‘Thank you, Trump,’” she noted.
“They appreciate President Trump for imposing sanctions on Brazil,” Yanakiew added.
Trump has labeled the trial a “witch hunt,” and his administration has responded by sanctioning Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
In retaliation, Brazil has lashed out at the U.S. for these sanctions, highlighting tensions between the two nations.
Trump has candidly acknowledged his retaliatory measures against Brazil for pursuing legal action against Bolsonaro, even going so far as to sign an executive order imposing 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods, asserting it’s a reaction to Bolsonaro’s “politically motivated persecution.”
On the first day of Trump’s newest tariff initiative, protests erupted across Brazil, particularly in São Paulo and Brasília, as citizens voiced their discontent regarding the hefty tariffs on exports. These tariffs are set to take effect on August 6, 2025, making Brazil subject to some of the highest U.S. tariffs globally.