Brazil police search Former Brazilian President Bolsonaro's home, court orders ankle monitor

 Brazil police search Former Brazilian President Bolsonaro's home, court orders ankle monitor

Jair Bolsonaro, the former President of Brazil, is facing intensified legal trouble. On Friday, federal police searched his home as part of a court-ordered operation. In addition to the raid, Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered Bolsonaro to wear an electronic ankle monitor, stay off social media, and cut off all communication with diplomats and close political allies. This includes a ban on contacting his son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, a congressman who has been active in the U.S. lobbying for support.

According to CNN Brasil, these measures were partly influenced by fears that Bolsonaro could try to flee to the United States. The former president recently released a video publicly thanking Donald Trump for his support, further raising concerns. In response to the court's orders, Bolsonaro’s lawyers expressed shock, calling the restrictions harsh and saying that their client has so far complied with previous court rulings.

The federal police confirmed that precautionary measures were issued by the Supreme Court, though they didn’t officially name Bolsonaro in their statement. The former leader has been under investigation for attempting to block the peaceful transfer of power to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva following the 2022 election. This case is just one of several legal challenges he’s currently facing, including allegations related to inciting unrest and spreading misinformation.

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Amid mounting legal pressure on Bolsonaro,  U.S. President Donald Trump has come to his defense, escalating tensions between the two countries. Trump recently posted on his Truth Social platform a personal letter to Bolsonaro, expressing strong support and demanding an end to the ongoing trial. In the letter, Trump called the Brazilian legal system “unjust” and described the trial as a “witch hunt.”

This show of support came shortly after Trump announced a proposal to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports if he returns to the White House. Analysts view this as a political warning aimed at pressuring Brazil to drop its investigations into Bolsonaro. Trump and Bolsonaro have maintained a close relationship since their time in office, often backing each other in public and on social media.

Brazilian lawmakers and the media have speculated that Bolsonaro’s video message to Trump posted just before the court orders may have triggered the stricter measures against him. The video was seen by some as an attempt to secure international sympathy or even asylum, reinforcing fears that he could attempt to escape prosecution by leaving the country.

Despite the growing controversy, Bolsonaro has denied all allegations and continues to position himself as a victim of political persecution. His lawyers insist that he is cooperating fully with the judiciary. However, with multiple investigations ongoing and international attention rising, it remains uncertain how long Bolsonaro can remain politically active or even free while the courts continue to tighten restrictions around him.

This episode adds another layer to Brazil’s complex political landscape, which has been marked by polarization, legal battles, and high-profile international involvement.