Brazil Convicts Eduardo Bolsonaro Over US Lobbying Effort
The Supreme Court of Brazil has handed Eduardo Bolsonaro a 4‑year and 2‑month jail sentence for lobbying U.S. authorities to sanction Brazil in support of his former father, Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted on charges of plotting a military coup.
Eduardo, 41, moved to the United States in 2025 after his father’s fall from power. He allegedly tried to apply pressure on U.S. officials to impose tariffs and sanctions on Brazil, aiming to protect his father’s political standing and mitigate the consequences of his conviction.
The court ruled the lawyer had “purposely sought to influence the political process” and had been “in absentia” when tried, only learning of the case through media reports. The ruling reflects the broader tensions that have emerged after Bolsonaro’s conviction, including the U.S. trade sanctions rolled back by Lula’s administration.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump had publicly defended Bolsonaro, citing “witch‑hunt” rhetoric, and had imposed a 50%. Lula’s government rejects sanctions on Brazilian judicial figures, deeming them a breach of judicial independence, while the U.S. has since withdrawn such measures.
Eduardo has claimed the verdict lacked proper due process and criticized the Supreme Court’s decision as politically motivated, even as Brazil seeks to negotiate trade agreements with the U.S. in a climate of heightened diplomatic friction.
The case underscores the lingering fallout of Bolsonaro’s alleged plot to overturn the 2022 election results, a conviction that has fueled political polarization and influenced international relations for years.
