As Brazil grapples with the fallout from former President Jair Bolsonaro’s recent conviction on coup charges, the nation is bracing for possible new sanctions from the United States.
President Donald Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the verdict, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled it a ‘witch hunt’ and indicated that the U.S. would respond ‘accordingly.’
In response to these remarks, Brazil’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement deeming Rubio’s comments an inappropriate threat, insisting they would not intimidate the Brazilian government.
The Ministry emphasized the independence of Brazil’s judiciary and highlighted that Bolsonaro was given due process throughout the legal proceedings.
‘Threats like the one made today by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will not intimidate our democracy,’ the Brazilian foreign office stated.
With the administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva anticipating potential retaliation from the U.S., Senator Rogério Carvalho, government leader in the Senate, discussed plans to support affected Brazilian businesses.
Carvalho revealed that the government has strategies in place to cushion the repercussions of any U.S. tariffs.
‘Brazil is actively seeking new markets to compensate for a potential drop in exports to the United States,’ he noted.
The Supreme Court panel’s conviction of Bolsonaro stemmed from his attempts to unseat Lula after losing the October 2022 election.
Prosecutors pointed to Bolsonaro’s history of undermining the electoral process, his conversations with advisers about possibly issuing an emergency decree to suspend election results, and the subsequent riot in the capital during Lula’s inauguration as evidence of wrongdoing.
Bolsonaro’s defense contended that the case was invalid, claiming he never issued any decree and instead facilitated a transition to Lula, his elected successor.
In a shift of dynamics, Trump had previously linked tariffs on Brazilian goods to Bolsonaro’s legal situation, announcing a 50% import tax on Brazilian products earlier this summer.
This was followed by sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department on Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw Bolsonaro’s trial and is viewed by the former President as an adversary.
The sanctions were enacted under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which typically targets individuals accused of human rights violations.
In a recent interview, Lula characterized Trump’s threats of sanctions as an arrogant dismissal of Brazil’s sovereignty.
‘No president of one country has the right to interfere in the sovereign decisions of another country,’ Lula stated, emphasizing Brazil’s right to govern itself.
He added, ‘If he chooses to take further action, that’s his problem. We will respond as measures are taken.’
Expert Christopher Garman from Eurasia Group speculated that the White House may extend Magnitsky sanctions to other justices involved in Bolsonaro’s conviction, and possibly their families.
As Brazil imports Russian diesel, Garman also noted the likelihood of additional tariffs but clarified that such measures are not anticipated immediately.
image source from：pbs
