Brazil Faces Protests Over US Tariffs, Bolsonaro Prosecution

Brazil has experienced simultaneous protest movements: one by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro rallying against his prosecution for allegedly plotting a coup, and another by broader segments of society protesting the US imposition of 50% tariffs on Brazilian exports. Bolsonaro supporters, demanding amnesty and criticizing Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and President Lula, were addressed by Bolsonaro via phone as he remains under house arrest. Meanwhile, large-scale demonstrations in cities including São Paulo, Brasília, and Rio de Janeiro targeted US economic measures, with participants accusing the US of interference and burning effigies of Donald Trump. The Brazilian government has announced plans to challenge the tariffs through diplomatic and legal avenues. The US sanctions and tariffs are widely perceived as retaliation for Bolsonaro’s prosecution, intensifying both domestic and international tensions. These developments highlight mounting frustration in Brazil over external pressures and internal political divisions.