Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have demonstrated across major cities protesting the Supreme Court coup trial that could result in lengthy prison sentences for the former leader.
Protesters gathered Sunday in Sรฃo Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and other cities, carrying Brazilian and United States flags in apparent reference to President Donald Trump’s support for his political ally. Demonstrators displayed banners featuring images of both Bolsonaro and Trump while chanting supportive slogans.
Bolsonaro faces accusations of attempting to overturn the 2022 election results after losing to left-wing opponent and current President Luiz Inรกcio Lula da Silva. In January 2023, Bolsonaro supporters stormed Brazil’s congress, ransacking chambers and attacking police in scenes reminiscent of the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters.
According to testimony from a Brazilian general, the alleged plotters also planned to assassinate Lula and several other public officials. Prosecutors have charged former army officer Bolsonaro and seven others with participating in “armed criminal association” and attempting to “violently overthrow the democratic order.”
A coup conviction carries up to 12 years imprisonment, with additional charges potentially resulting in decades behind bars. Bolsonaro has consistently denied all allegations, claiming he is the victim of political persecution.
The former president has characterized the proceedings as a “witch hunt,” mirroring Trump’s defense strategy when facing criminal charges before returning to the White House.
Al Jazeera’s Monica Yanakiew, reporting from Sรฃo Paulo, observed protesters expressing gratitude toward Trump. “There are a lot of American flags here and people are saying ‘Thank you Trump,'” she reported, noting demonstrators were thanking the US president for sanctioning Brazil.
Trump has condemned the trial as a “witch hunt,” and his Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes in response. Brazil has strongly criticized the US decision to sanction the justice.
Trump has openly acknowledged punishing Brazil for prosecuting Bolsonaro, signing an executive order imposing 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian imports, citing what he termed Bolsonaro’s “politically motivated persecution.”
The tariff announcement prompted counter-protests in Brazilian cities on Friday, with demonstrations in Sรฃo Paulo and Brasรญlia as residents expressed anger over the economic measures on the first day of Trump’s tariff campaign. Brazil faces some of the highest US tariffs globally, scheduled to take effect on August 6.
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Bolsonaro Supporters Rally Nationwide as Trump Sanctions Brazil Over Coup Trial
Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have demonstrated across major cities protesting the Supreme Court coup trial that could result in lengthy prison sentences for the former leader. Protesters gathered Sunday in Sรฃo Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and other cities, carrying Brazilian and United States flags in apparent reference to President Donald Trump's support for his political ally. Demonstrators displayed banners featuring images of both Bolsonaro and Trump while chanting supportive slogans. Bolsonaro faces accusations of attempting to overturn the 2022 election results after losing to left-wing opponent and current President Luiz Inรกcio Lula da Silva. In January 2023, Bolsonaro supporters stormed Brazil's congress, ransacking chambers and attacking police in scenes reminiscent of the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters. According to testimony from a Brazilian general, the alleged plotters also planned to assassinate […]
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