In February 2024, Brazilian police have alleged that Jair Bolsonaro submitted a request for political asylum to Argentina’s president Javier Milei, a development that may exacerbate the former leader’s legal challenges. A 33-page document discovered on Bolsonaro’s mobile phone was dated merely days following the initiation of a coup-plotting investigation by the Federal Police during that month.
In the draft, Bolsonaro asserted that he was subjected to “political persecution in Brazil,” as indicated by the police report released on Wednesday. Investigators indicated that the text illustrated “a proven risk of flight by the accused,” a conclusion reiterated in a Supreme Court resolution endorsed by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who allotted the politician’s defence team 48 hours to provide a response. Brazil’s Supreme Court is expected to deliver a ruling between September 2 and 12 regarding Bolsonaro’s culpability in a distinct trial concerning his purported efforts to orchestrate a coup in 2022, which was intended to obstruct the inauguration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to a maximum of 40 years in incarceration.
The police have also suggested that charges be brought against Bolsonaro’s son, congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, alleging “coercion” against the judiciary. Eduardo has been actively advocating within the United States for several months, pressing the administration of President Donald Trump to take action in support of his father. In a retaliatory measure, Trump has implemented punitive tariffs on Brazil, characterizing the situation as a “witch hunt” against Bolsonaro, while also imposing sanctions on Moraes and other judges.
Law enforcement authorities have determined that Jair and Eduardo Bolsonaro participated in “acts aimed at interfering in the course of the criminal proceedings” related to allegations of coup plotting. It was suggested that both individuals face charges for “coercion of judicial process” and “violent abolition of the democratic rule of law.” The recommendation also encompassed evangelical pastor Silas Malafaia and Paulo Figueiredo, the grandson of Brazil’s last military dictator João Figueiredo (1979–1985), both of whom are notable allies of Bolsonaro. The proposed asylum request to Buenos Aires positioned Milei, a libertarian ally, at the core of Bolsonaro’s contingency strategies. The leader of La Libertad Avanza has expressed admiration for the leadership qualities of his counterpart, often referencing him as a source of inspiration. Both figures have participated together in international events aligned with right-wing ideologies.
Since assuming office in December 2023, Milei has endeavored to elevate his stature as a prominent figure within the international populist right. His alignment with Bolsonaro and his embrace of Trump’s orbit reflect a strategic effort to position Argentina within a global libertarian and conservative network. Since early August, Bolsonaro has been subjected to preventative house arrest following a ruling by Moraes, which determined that he breached restrictions prohibiting him from making statements on social media. The former president maintains his innocence, characterizing himself as a “persecuted man.”