Brazil’s Supreme Court has rejected a request from former president Jair Bolsonaro to have his passport returned, preventing him from attending the upcoming inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday, cited Bolsonaro as a flight risk, as his passport was seized nearly a year ago in connection with an investigation into an alleged coup attempt following the 2022 Brazilian elections.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes, known for his clashes with Bolsonaro, stated that there was still a “possibility of an attempted evasion” by the former leader, justifying the court’s decision to uphold the travel ban.
In response, Bolsonaro took to social media platform X, denouncing the ruling as a blow to Brazil’s global reputation and a worrying sign for the nation’s democracy. He further claimed the judiciary was engaging in “lawfare”—the use of legal mechanisms to suppress political opponents.
“I’m feeling like a kid again with Trump’s invite. I’m fired up,” Bolsonaro told The New York Times prior to the court’s decision, referring to Trump as “the most important guy in the world.”
While Bolsonaro remains unable to attend the event, his wife is expected to represent him at the inauguration.
Legal Battles and Allegations
Bolsonaro, who lost the 2022 presidential election to leftist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, faces multiple legal challenges. He has been barred from holding public office until 2030 due to his attempts to undermine Brazil’s voting system.
Investigators have also accused him of falsifying COVID-19 vaccination records and misappropriating $1.2 million worth of luxury items gifted by Saudi Arabia. However, the most serious allegation claims that Bolsonaro had direct involvement in a conspiracy to prevent Lula from assuming office.
Despite these legal woes, Bolsonaro insists he is being “persecuted”, drawing parallels between his situation and Trump’s legal battles in the US.
Meanwhile, Trump’s inauguration will be attended by key allies, including Argentina’s President Javier Milei, a self-proclaimed “anarcho-capitalist”, and Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia, whom several nations recognize as Venezuela’s legitimate president.
With Bolsonaro absent, his political future remains uncertain as Brazil’s judiciary intensifies its scrutiny of his actions in office. Brazilian Court Blocks Bolsonaro’s Travel for Trump’s Inauguration
By Agency Report
Brazil’s Supreme Court has rejected a request from former president Jair Bolsonaro to have his passport returned, preventing him from attending the upcoming inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday, cited Bolsonaro as a flight risk, as his passport was seized nearly a year ago in connection with an investigation into an alleged coup attempt following the 2022 Brazilian elections.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes, known for his clashes with Bolsonaro, stated that there was still a “possibility of an attempted evasion” by the former leader, justifying the court’s decision to uphold the travel ban.
In response, Bolsonaro took to social media platform X, denouncing the ruling as a blow to Brazil’s global reputation and a worrying sign for the nation’s democracy. He further claimed the judiciary was engaging in “lawfare”—the use of legal mechanisms to suppress political opponents.
“I’m feeling like a kid again with Trump’s invite. I’m fired up,” Bolsonaro told The New York Times prior to the court’s decision, referring to Trump as “the most important guy in the world.”
While Bolsonaro remains unable to attend the event, his wife is expected to represent him at the inauguration.
Legal Battles and Allegations
Bolsonaro, who lost the 2022 presidential election to leftist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, faces multiple legal challenges. He has been barred from holding public office until 2030 due to his attempts to undermine Brazil’s voting system.
Investigators have also accused him of falsifying COVID-19 vaccination records and misappropriating $1.2 million worth of luxury items gifted by Saudi Arabia. However, the most serious allegation claims that Bolsonaro had direct involvement in a conspiracy to prevent Lula from assuming office.
Despite these legal woes, Bolsonaro insists he is being “persecuted”, drawing parallels between his situation and Trump’s legal battles in the US.
Meanwhile, Trump’s inauguration will be attended by key allies, including Argentina’s President Javier Milei, a self-proclaimed “anarcho-capitalist”, and Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia, whom several nations recognize as Venezuela’s legitimate president.
With Bolsonaro absent, his political future remains uncertain as Brazil’s judiciary intensifies its scrutiny of his actions in office.
