In a recent development, Jair Bolsonaro, the former President of Brazil, unveiled a letter of support he received from President Donald Trump.
The letter, which was published on Thursday evening, expressed Trump's backing for the conservative leader and his disapproval of the ongoing criminal trial against Bolsonaro for alleged "coup" activity.
As reported by Breitbart, this letter came on the heels of President Trump's announcement earlier this month that the United States would impose a 50-percent tariff on Brazil. This decision was in response to the growing list of free speech rights violations against conservatives by the Marxist government, with Bolsonaro being the most prominent target.
The leftist government of Brazil, led by the allegedly corrupt President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva, responded to the publication of the letter by ordering a police raid on Bolsonaro's home. The former President was detained on Friday and subjected to several restrictions, including being forced to wear a monitor anklet, a ban on leaving his home for most of the week, and restricted access to social media.
The trial against Bolsonaro, in which he and his supporters are accused of attempting to poison Lula and seize power after losing the 2022 presidential election, is currently in its closing stages. Prosecutors have urged the Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF), the nation's top court, to convict Bolsonaro on five charges, including armed organized crime and attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law.
In the letter published by Bolsonaro, Trump wrote, I have seen the terrible treatment you are receiving at the hands of an unjust system turned against you. This trial should end immediately! I am not surprised to see you leading in the polls; you were a highly respected and strong leader who served your country well.
Trump also expressed his concern about the attacks on free speech in both Brazil and the United States. He wrote, I share your commitment to listening to the voice of the people and I am very concerned about the attacks on free speech both in Brazil and in the United States coming out of the current government. I have strongly voiced my disapproval both publicly and through our Tariff policy.
In his response to Trump's letter, Bolsonaro expressed his gratitude for the American president's support and denied the allegations against him. He stated, Im being judged for a coup detat carried out on a Sunday without troops, without weapons, while I was present in the United States something completely unbelievable. A non-existent crime.
Bolsonaro's reference to the events of January 8, 2023, pertains to a riot in Brasilia by his supporters, who vandalized the headquarters of the STF, the Brazilian Congress, and the presidential office. Despite the riot, there is no evidence to suggest that it threatened Lulas control over the presidency. The trial against Bolsonaro is partly based on accusations that he deliberately orchestrated the riot.
Bolsonaro, who has been banned from running for any public office for the next eight years, asserted that the real objective of the trial is to ban him from politics, not to seek justice. He stated, What they really want is to push me away from the political process, distance the greatest right-wing leadership in South America. And I understand that elections without an opposition that IS a coup.
On Friday morning, STF judge Alexandre de Moraes, known for his crusade against "fake news," approved search and arrest warrants against Bolsonaro. As a result, Bolsonaro was arrested and fitted with a monitoring anklet. Despite not being convicted of any crime yet, Bolsonaro now faces several restrictions on his freedom.
Bolsonaro's lawyers have condemned the actions against the former President, who is a 70-year-old with significant health complications due to a failed assassination attempt in 2018. They stated, The defense of former President Jair Bolsonaro received with surprise and indignation the news of the imposition of severe precautionary measures against him, who to date has always complied with all the determinations of the Judiciary. The defense will manifest itself in due course, after knowing the court decision.
This case continues to unfold, raising questions about the future of conservative politics in Brazil and the potential implications for free speech and political opposition in the country.
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