Itamaraty condemned on Tuesday night, 9, the threat made by the United States government to use economic sanctions or military power against Brazil.
“The Brazilian government condemns the use of economic sanctions or threats to use force against our democracy,” says the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to Itamaraty, the first step in protecting freedom of expression “is precisely to defend democracy and respect popular will expressed in the polls.” “This is the duty of the three powers of the Republic, which will not be intimidated by any form of attack on our sovereignty,” the note continues.
The portfolio also repudiated the “attempted undemocratic forces to instruct foreign governments to coerce national institutions.”
On Tuesday, 9, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, in response to a journalist who questioned the possibility of new sanctions to Brazil because of Bolsonaro’s trial, replied: “I have no additional action to anticipate you today, but I can say that this is a priority for administration and the president is not afraid to use economic power, the military power of the United States to protect the freedom of expression.”
The statement took place on the same day as the judgment of former President Jair Bolsonaro in the Federal Supreme Court (STF) for coup attempt. Ministers Alexandre de Moraes and Flávio Dino voted for the conviction of the former president and the other seven defendants who form the crucial core of the coup plot.
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In his vote, Dino rejected any possibility of American pressure to interfere with the STF’s decision. “Will people believe that a tweet of a foreign government authority change a trial in the Supreme? A credit card, or Mickey, will change the judgment in the Supreme?” He asked.
On Monday, 8, Under Secretary of Public Diplomacy of the United States, Darren Beattie, had already said that the US government will continue to take “appropriate measures” against abuses of authority that harm fundamental freedoms.
The criminal action against Bolsonaro has been used by the Trump government to impose a series of sanctions on Brazil and Brazilian authorities. The son of former president Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL) and influencer Paulo Figueiredo maintain constant contact with American authorities to articulate sanctions on STF ministers.
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Since July, the US government has imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian exports, used the Magnitsky Law to sanction Moraes and revoked his visas and seven other STF members, as well as the Attorney General, Paulo Gonet.
