Thousands of supporters of Jair Bolsonaro took to the streets yesterday in various Brazilian cities. The demonstrations were triggered by Washington’s announcement of tariff hikes targeting the South American nation and sanctions against Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Moraes is overseeing the case where the former president is implicated in an attempted coup.
The most significant protests occurred in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasília. Most demonstrators wore the green and gold colors of Brazil, while some carried American flags or signs reading ‘Thank You Trump’.
Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest restrictions prohibiting him from leaving his Brasília residence, using social media, or giving interviews, did not attend in person. However, he appeared via video call at two events: one on Avenida Paulista in São Paulo, at the invitation of right-wing congressman Nikolas Ferreira, and another on Copacabana beach in Rio during a speech by his son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. The former president silently greeted crowds, displaying his electronic monitoring bracelet, as supporters chanted slogans against the Supreme Court and in his defense.