• Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro faces a series of legal restrictions amid a coup trial.
• The U.S. has imposed visa restrictions on Brazilian judges overseeing Bolsonaro's case.
• President Donald Trump's tariff threats tied to Bolsonaro's trial induce political backlash in Brazil.

On July 18, Brazilian police raided the home and political headquarters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, enforcing new measures amid his ongoing trial for allegedly plotting a coup against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. In a sweeping act of legal enforcement, the Supreme Court mandated that Bolsonaro wear an electronic ankle monitor, observe a nighttime curfew, and refrain from using social media or contacting anyone under investigation, including his son Eduardo Bolsonaro, who has been lobbying in the United States for his father. These measures came as the court expressed concerns about a "concrete possibility" of Bolsonaro attempting to flee the country, according to SCMP and LA Times.

In a statement, Bolsonaro voiced feelings of "supreme humiliation," reinforcing that he never intended to leave Brazil. The court's actions further fuel allegations of a politically motivated "witch hunt" spearheaded by opponents, a narrative echoed by his ally, U.S. President Donald Trump. On the same day, Trump publicly threatened a 50% import tariff on Brazilian goods if the prosecution against Bolsonaro does not cease, which he has labeled as an unjust treatment of his ally, as stated by Channel News Asia and BBC.

The U.S. government's involvement intensified with Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing visa restrictions for Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and several judges involved in Bolsonaro's trial. Rubio described the moves against Bolsonaro as a "political witch hunt," asserting that they infringe upon both Brazilian rights and U.S. interests. Lula's administration condemned these visa sanctions as arbitrary and a violation of Brazil's sovereignty, emphasizing the importance of judicial independence in maintaining democracy, as reported by Al Jazeera and TRT Global.

This situation has polarized both Brazilian and international public opinion, with Lula experiencing a surge in approval ratings as many Brazilians view the Trump administration's tactics as undue interference in internal affairs. Lula's renewed popularity indicates a potential shift in political dynamics, as many citizens stand united against perceived foreign meddling in their sovereignty. Lula, speaking publicly, asserted, "A gringo will not give orders to this president," further complicating the already tense interactions between the two nations, as highlighted by LA Times and Reuters.

As the trial progresses, Bolsonaro faces significant legal challenges, with potential convictions that could result in lengthy prison sentences for accusations related to conspiracy and coup plotting. Both Bolsonaro and Trump continue to portray their situations as politically motivated attacks, but the unfolding events further complicate their alliances, impacting their standing both domestically and internationally, as detailed in TRT Global and Le Monde.