Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has accused the country's supreme court of persecuting him after it rejected his appeal against a travel ban. The decision, made by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, upheld an earlier ruling barring Bolsonaro from leaving Brazil and denying his request for the return of his passport. Bolsonaro, who was at the airport in Brasilia to see off his wife Michelle as she traveled to attend Donald Trump's inauguration in the United States, expressed frustration over the court's decision.
Bolsonaro's legal team argued that he had fully complied with all precautionary measures imposed on him by the Supreme Court. They emphasized that Bolsonaro respected the court's authority and denied any intent to flee the country. Despite these assertions, the Supreme Court remained firm in its stance, citing ongoing criminal charges against Bolsonaro for allegedly plotting a coup following his 2022 election defeat.
The former president, often referred to as the "Trump of the Tropics," governed Brazil from 2019 to 2022. He faces a travel ban that extends until 2030, effectively barring him from running for office during this period. The travel restrictions stem from his alleged involvement in a coup plot, which led to the confiscation of his passport in February 2024 by Brazil's top court.
At the airport in Brasilia, Bolsonaro expressed his disappointment over being unable to accompany his wife to Trump's inauguration on January 20. He called on the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision, citing what he described as "huge political persecution by one person." Bolsonaro's remarks underline the tense relationship between him and Brazil's judicial system, as he navigates the challenges posed by his legal battles.
Bolsonaro's appeal to attend Trump's inauguration highlights the former president's continued connections with international political figures. His invitation to the event underscores his ties to Trump, with whom he shares a similar political ideology. However, the Supreme Court's decision has curtailed his ability to engage in such diplomatic activities.
