Eduardo Bolsonaro Pushes for U.S. Sanctions After Father’s Conviction

Brazilian Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, has urged the United States to impose sanctions on Brazilian officials following his father’s conviction for allegedly plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election. Speaking to Reuters, Eduardo described Brazil’s current leadership as a “dictatorship” and called for a firm U.S. response.

He warned that Supreme Court justices who voted to convict his father could face penalties under the Magnitsky Act, which was previously used by the Trump administration against Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the judge overseeing the case. Eduardo singled out Justices Flavio Dino, Carmen Lucia, and Cristiano Zanin, who supported Moraes, while Luiz Fux was the only dissenting vote.

Earlier this year, Eduardo Bolsonaro relocated to the U.S. to rally support from former President Donald Trump and his allies. He has claimed credit for influencing Washington’s decision to impose 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports. Last month, he met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to push for targeted sanctions against officials tied to his father’s trial.

Trump, a close ally of Jair Bolsonaro, has denounced the case as a “witch hunt” and expressed surprise at the conviction. Eduardo believes that continued alignment with Moraes could put additional justices at risk of U.S. sanctions.

The conviction of Jair Bolsonaro marks a pivotal moment in Brazilian politics, sparking international attention and deepening political divides. As Eduardo intensifies his lobbying efforts in the U.S., the outcome could impact Brazil’s relations with Washington and the future of its democratic institutions.