Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has publicly defended the recent trial and conviction of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who received a prison sentence of over 27 years for attempting to orchestrate a coup. In an opinion piece for the New York Times, Lula criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s characterization of the trial as a “witch hunt,” stating that the judgment represented a historic decision essential for maintaining democratic integrity and the rule of law in Brazil.
In his article, Lula aimed to initiate a candid dialogue with Trump, particularly in light of recent tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Brazilian imports, which he described as “misguided” and “illogical.” He pointed out that over the last 15 years, the U.S. has seen a significant trade surplus with Brazil, totaling $410 billion in goods and services, and he suggested that the tariff decision may have political motivations.
Lula claimed that the U.S. government is attempting to use tariffs and sanctions under the Magnitsky Act to provide protection for Bolsonaro, especially considering that U.S. sanctions were imposed on the Supreme Court justice who oversaw the trial. The trial concluded with a majority of the Supreme Court justices finding Bolsonaro guilty on all charges, leading to a legal appeal from his lawyers.
Following the verdict, Trump expressed surprise, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the U.S. would respond to what they termed a “witch hunt.” Lula, however, emphasized that the trial adhered to Brazil’s 1988 Constitution, established after two decades of military rule, and he rejected claims that Brazil’s judicial system was singling out U.S. tech companies.
In conclusion, Lula conveyed to Trump that Brazil is open to negotiations that could yield mutual benefits, but reaffirmed his commitment to Brazil’s democratic values and sovereignty.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj3yxkkdlkvo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss