• Jair Bolsonaro faces round-the-clock police surveillance as a declared 'flight risk'.
• He is currently under house arrest while awaiting the verdict in his coup-plotting trial.
• Bolsonaro's trial is a critical moment, with potential penalties of up to 40 years in prison.
• The situation has strained US-Brazil relations amid sanctions and visa revocations.
• The former president claims political persecution as he awaits the trial's decision.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has ordered a 24-hour police presence around former President Jair Bolsonaro as he awaits the verdict of his coup-plotting trial, citing concerns about possible attempts to flee. This decision follows a police report that indicated Bolsonaro, currently under house arrest, is a “flight risk” due to a recently discovered draft letter on his phone requesting asylum in Argentina, dated 2024. Bolsonaro faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted, raising significant anxieties around his compliance with legal proceedings, according to Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.

Moraes emphasized the necessity of increased security measures as the trial approaches a critical phase, with the final arguments expected soon. He noted that Bolsonaro’s son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, has been actively lobbying US authorities, which further complicates the situation and raises flags about potential escape plans. Lula’s administration has expressed solidarity with judicial officials facing US sanctions, enhancing the already tense diplomatic relations with Washington, according to India Times and Le Monde.

The potential ramifications of Bolsonaro's trial extend beyond legal penalties, as evident in Lula's recent announcement regarding the revocation of US visas for several Brazilian officials directly linked to the case. Lula condemned this act as an "irresponsible gesture," reflective of the broader political dynamics at play involving Bolsonaro's assertion of political persecution amid claims of judicial overreach. The ongoing tension could have lasting effects on US-Brazil relations as Bolsonaro continues to maintain his innocence while his trial unfolds, according to TRT Global and India Times.