Brazil Rejects White House Statements Regarding Use of Force Against It

SadaNews - The Brazilian government rejected statements made by the White House spokesperson, who said that U.S. President Donald Trump does not rule out the use of force against Brazil in the event of a conviction of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

The Brazilian Foreign Ministry stated in a press release: "The Brazilian government condemns the imposition of economic sanctions or the threat of using force against our democracy."

Earlier, White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt commented on Bolsonaro's trial, stating that the U.S. president "is not afraid to use economic or military means" to defend freedom of expression around the world.

The government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva responded by saying that the first step in defending freedom of expression is "precisely protecting democracy and respecting the will of the voters as expressed in the elections," a responsibility that lies with the three branches of power in Brazil.

Brazilian authorities also rejected "attempts by anti-democratic forces to use foreign governments to pressure national institutions," referring to the efforts of one of Bolsonaro's sons, Deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro, who has been residing in the United States for several months and is trying to convince Trump to punish Brazil in support of his father.

Trump's administration imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods and applied sanctions, including the revocation of entry visas, against members of the government and several federal Supreme Court justices, particularly Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversees the case against Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro's trial for attempted coup is nearing its final stages, with a verdict expected to be issued on Thursday or Friday, after two Supreme Court justices assigned to the case voted yesterday in favor of his conviction.

Bolsonaro faces five charges: belonging to an armed criminal organization, committing a coup, overthrowing the democratic rule of law, harming public property, and damaging protected heritage. If the maximum sentences for each crime are applied, his prison term may exceed 40 years.

Source: "Novosti"