A Supreme Court judge in Brazil has issued house arrest orders for ten individuals convicted for their roles in a plot to overturn the 2022 election and keep former President Jair Bolsonaro in power.
Extradition Precedes Judicial Decision
The ruling from Judge Alexandre de Moraes on Saturday 27 December 2025 came shortly after a significant development in the case. Authorities in neighbouring Paraguay arrested and extradited Silvinei Vasques, a former commander of Brazil's Federal Highway Police, who had also been convicted for his part in the conspiracy.
Vasques had torn off his court-ordered ankle monitor on Thursday, driven a rental car into Paraguay, and attempted to board a flight to El Salvador using falsified Paraguayan documents. He was returned to Brazilian custody on Friday night.
Who is Under House Arrest?
The ten people now subject to house arrest had previously been under precautionary measures, such as electronic monitoring or nightly curfews at a fixed address. Among them is Filipe Martins, a former key adviser to ex-President Bolsonaro.
Bolsonaro himself was convicted in September and sentenced to 27 years in prison for leading the attempt to subvert democracy and remain in office after losing the election. The trials of Bolsonaro and several military and police figures have gripped a nation where democracy was only restored in 1985 after a prolonged period of military rule.
International Repercussions and Shifting US Stance
The case has had notable international dimensions, particularly concerning Brazil's relationship with the United States. US President Donald Trump initially condemned the legal proceedings against his ideological ally Bolsonaro as a "witch hunt," imposing tariffs on Brazilian imports in protest at what he called an "international disgrace." The Trump administration also levied financial sanctions against Judge De Moraes.
However, the US position appears to have softened following Bolsonaro's definitive conviction. In November, President Trump signed an executive order reducing tariffs on key Brazilian exports like beef and coffee. Earlier in December, the US Treasury lifted the sanctions against Judge De Moraes and his wife, as trade negotiations between the two nations continue.
