Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was arrested and claimed he damaged his electronic ankle monitor “out of curiosity,” after being suspected of planning to abscond. A video released by the Supreme Court showed the device badly damaged and burned, with Bolsonaro admitting to using a soldering iron on it. The arrest, ordered by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, came amidst fears Bolsonaro would seek refuge in a foreign embassy, possibly the U.S. embassy, to avoid punishment for his role in a failed coup and his 27-year prison sentence. Supporters and detractors reacted strongly, with his allies condemning the arrest as political persecution, while opponents celebrated his detainment.
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Brazil ex-president Bolsonaro detained by police, lawyer says. It’s really something, isn’t it? The news has hit, and it seems like former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is now in police custody, according to his lawyer. This immediately sparks thoughts of the situation, the legal battles, and the political implications that are now unfolding.
Bolsonaro’s actions leading up to this point have certainly painted a complex picture. The information we have suggests that he’s facing scrutiny over a number of issues. The fact that the judge cited evidence of him considering seeking asylum in the Argentine embassy definitely adds another layer to the story.… Continue reading
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was arrested Saturday by the Federal Police, acting on orders from the Supreme Court. The arrest followed Bolsonaro’s conviction in September on charges of attempting a coup and other offenses, resulting in a 27-year prison sentence. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the arrest, citing concerns that Bolsonaro was preparing to flee and had violated his ankle monitor. Bolsonaro’s son called for a protest at the former president’s residence, which the court used as further evidence of an impending escape attempt.
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Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva used the United Nations General Assembly to defend his country’s democracy, highlighting the conviction of former president Jair Bolsonaro for attempting a military coup. Lula condemned anti-democratic forces globally and criticized foreign interference, specifically from the United States, in Bolsonaro’s trial, including the imposition of tariffs and sanctions. The US pressure campaign has thus far failed to impact Bolsonaro’s sentencing. Despite the tense situation, both leaders briefly met and agreed to meet next week, while Lula also criticized US actions in the Caribbean.
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Across Brazil’s 26 states and Federal District, citizens protested a potential pardon for former President Jair Bolsonaro and his allies, following the passage of controversial legislation in the lower house. These demonstrations were spurred by a constitutional amendment making it more difficult to prosecute lawmakers and a bill that could grant amnesty to individuals involved in the January 2023 uprising, including Bolsonaro, who was convicted of attempting to overturn his election loss. Prominent artists like Caetano Veloso, Anitta, and Wagner Moura participated in the protests, emphasizing the need for accountability and representing the will of the people. Despite significant support for Bolsonaro among a segment of the population, polls indicate a majority favors his conviction and imprisonment.
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Brazil’s recent conviction of former President Bolsonaro for attempting to overturn his election defeat stands in stark contrast to the US, where institutions have struggled to hold Trump accountable. The parallels between Bolsonaro and Trump are striking, yet Brazil’s institutions, with a history of overcoming dictatorship, were able to defend democracy through strong judicial action and a non-partisan military. Key lessons for the US include the necessity of a pro-democracy Supreme Court, the importance of other democratic institutions standing firm, and conservatives breaking from populist movements. Ultimately, Brazil’s experience highlights the potential for democracy to prevail when leaders in key institutions demonstrate the courage to defend it.
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Following the conviction of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on coup charges, Brazil is anticipating potential U.S. sanctions. The U.S. has expressed unhappiness with the conviction and threatened a response, prompting Brazil’s Foreign Ministry to condemn the remarks as threats against its democracy and independent judiciary. Brazil’s government is preparing a plan to support affected businesses and find alternative markets to mitigate potential losses from U.S. tariffs. Experts suggest additional sanctions on justices involved in the case and possibly new tariffs could be imposed by the United States.
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Rubio vows US response following conviction of Brazil’s Bolsonaro – wow, what a headline, right? It really makes you stop and think. What kind of response could possibly be warranted when another sovereign nation, Brazil, makes a decision within its own legal system? It’s pretty straightforward: former President Bolsonaro was convicted. And the reaction from some corners in the U.S., particularly from Senator Rubio, has been… well, it’s been noticed, to say the least. It feels like the immediate reaction is, why? Why is this even our business? Shouldn’t we be minding our own, you know, country’s business?
Rubio vows US response following conviction of Brazil’s Bolsonaro – The whole thing feels like a slap in the face to the idea of “America First,” which seems to be thrown around when it suits certain agendas.… Continue reading
Brazil’s top court panel forming a majority to convict Bolsonaro for criminal organization, what a headline! It’s hard not to feel a surge of both admiration and a touch of envy. The fact that Brazil is taking a strong stand against a former leader, holding him accountable for alleged criminal activities, is truly commendable. It speaks volumes about the strength of their democratic institutions and their commitment to justice. It really makes you think about how the US handles its own political accountability.
It’s a bit surreal to process that a country once labeled a “banana republic” is now demonstrating such a clear commitment to upholding the rule of law while, at least in the perception of some, the US is lagging behind.… Continue reading
A fisherman using sonar on the Mississippi River in Minnesota discovered a submerged car, leading to the potential resolution of a nearly 60-year-old missing person case. Upon recovery of the 1960s-era Buick, investigators found human remains inside and identified the vehicle as belonging to Roy Benn, who vanished in 1967. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office believes the remains are those of Benn, based on the car’s VIN and other evidence. The case has been handed over to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, which has notified Benn’s family.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood