Bolsonaro denies accusations that he plotted to overturn the 2022 presidential election results, saying he is the target of political persecution.
President Donald Trump has warned the Brazilian government over its treatment of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing trial over coup allegations.
Trump issued a statement on Monday, defending Bolsonaro, who, along with 33 others, faces trial for allegedly plotting to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election, which he narrowly lost to current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The former president has repeatedly denied the allegations and said he is the target of political persecution.
Bolsonaro’s trial began in May, and if convicted, he could face up to 12 years in prison. A verdict is expected later this year.
“Brazil is doing a terrible thing in its treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on July 7.
“I have watched, as has the world, as they have done nothing but come after him, day after day, night after night, month after month, year after year!” he wrote.
“He is not guilty of anything, except having fought for THE PEOPLE,” Trump said, before referring to his interaction with the then-president of Brazil during his first term in the White House.
“I have gotten to know Jair Bolsonaro, and he was a strong leader who truly loved his country — also a very tough negotiator on trade.”
Bolsonaro was president of the South American country from 2019 to 2022. On June 29, he attended a demonstration in the city of São Paulo against his trial in the country’s Supreme Court.
Bolsonaro is already barred from running for public office until 2030.
In his statement, Trump compared the situation with Bolsonaro to what he experienced when seeking to return as president of the United States.
“This is nothing more, or less, than an attack on a Political Opponent — Something I know much about!”
Trump pointed out that the Brazilian people will not tolerate what is being done to their former president and will be monitoring the situation. “I will be watching very closely the WITCH HUNT of Jair Bolsonaro, his family, and thousands of his supporters,” he said.
“The only trial that should be happening is a trial by the voters of Brazil — it’s called an election. LEAVE BOLSONARO ALONE!”
