Bolsonaro Under Fire: Legal Hurdles Amid U.S. Tariff Chaos

Brazil's Supreme Court has taken a firm stand against former President Jair Bolsonaro's media interactions, warning that his press engagements, if shared on social platforms, could lead to his arrest. This decision raises uncertainties about Bolsonaro's freedom to communicate with journalists as he confronts a backlash following President Donald Trump's imposition of steep tariffs on Brazil.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes, managing a criminal investigation involving Bolsonaro on coup-plotting accusations, clarified that any breach of the ruling would warrant the former president's detention. Just days earlier, measures such as a social media ban and requiring Bolsonaro to wear an ankle monitor were enforced, alleging his collusion with Trump, who justified the tariffs as a response to a perceived "witch hunt" against Bolsonaro.

Legal experts differ on the ruling's scope, with some asserting interviews could still be a risky move for Bolsonaro, potentially leading to preventive arrest. The Supreme Court has refrained from commenting further, while Bolsonaro's camp maintains his innocence. As pressures mount, the unfolding situation casts a spotlight on the broader political ties and tensions between Brazil and the U.S.

(With inputs from agencies.)