The United States Department of State has condemned the decision by a Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) judge to place former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest as part of an ongoing trial into an alleged coup plot.
In a statement released on Monday, the State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs expressed concern over the actions of STF Judge Alexandre de Moraes, stating:
“Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who is under U.S. sanctions for human rights abuses, continues to weaponize Brazilian institutions to silence the opposition and undermine democracy.”
The statement went on to criticize the additional restrictions placed on Bolsonaro’s ability to publicly defend himself, saying:
“Imposing even further limitations on Jair Bolsonaro’s ability to speak publicly does not serve the public interest. Let Bolsonaro speak!”
The Supreme Court ruling issued yesterday cited Bolsonaro’s “repeated violations” of previously imposed conditions, particularly regarding his continued use of social media, as justification for the house arrest order. Judge de Moraes has played a central role in Brazil’s legal proceedings against far-right figures accused of attempting to overturn democratic institutions.
The ruling has sparked significant debate in both domestic and international circles over freedom of speech and judicial overreach.
