In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the United States and Brazil, the U.S. has revoked the visa of a prominent Brazilian judge amid a fierce legal battle involving former President Jair Bolsonaro. This shocking move comes just as Brazil’s Supreme Court has imposed severe restrictions on Bolsonaro, including an electronic ankle monitor and a ban on social media use, intensifying the political crisis engulfing the nation.

The Brazilian federal police raided Bolsonaro’s home, underscoring the gravity of the situation. The former president, now 70 years old, has publicly decried the court’s actions as a “supreme humiliation,” claiming he is the victim of political persecution. However, the courts, not President Lula, are driving these measures, as Bolsonaro is viewed as a potential flight risk. His family’s lobbying efforts in the U.S. to influence the White House against Brazil’s judicial proceedings have raised serious concerns about obstruction of justice.

Bolsonaro faces allegations of conspiring with the military to orchestrate a coup following his electoral defeat in 2022. The fallout from his supporters’ violent assault on Brazil’s Supreme Court and Congress mirrors the chaos seen during the January 6 U.S. Capitol riot, heightening fears of instability in the region. Analysts warn that overwhelming evidence against Bolsonaro could lead to a staggering 40-year prison sentence.

As tensions mount, Bolsonaro’s ambitions to influence Brazil’s 2026 presidential election remain evident, despite being barred from public office until 2030. Lula has condemned Trump’s interference in Brazil’s judicial independence, vowing not to allow Bolsonaro’s return to power. With neither side backing down, the conflict between these two democratic giants is poised to escalate further, leaving the future of Brazil’s political landscape hanging in the balance.