NextFin news, Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, known as Itamaraty, issued a statement on Tuesday night, September 9, 2025, in Brasília, rejecting threats from the United States government to apply economic sanctions or military force against Brazil. The statement came in response to remarks by White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt earlier that day.
Leavitt said at a press conference that US President Donald Trump "is not afraid to use the economic power, the military power of the United States to protect freedom of expression around the world," referring to the situation in Brazil amid the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro in the Federal Supreme Court (STF) for an alleged coup attempt.
In its official note, Itamaraty condemned "the use of economic sanctions or threats to use force against our democracy," emphasizing that "the first step in protecting freedom of expression is precisely to defend democracy and respect popular will expressed in the polls." The ministry underscored that this responsibility lies with Brazil's three branches of government, which "will not be intimidated by any form of attack on our sovereignty."
The ministry also repudiated what it described as "attempted undemocratic forces instructing foreign governments to coerce national institutions."
The US threats coincided with the STF's judgment on the case against Bolsonaro and other defendants accused of plotting a coup. STF ministers Alexandre de Moraes and Flávio Dino voted for conviction, with Dino dismissing any possibility that foreign pressure could influence the court's decision.
Earlier on Monday, September 8, Darren Beattie, Under Secretary of Public Diplomacy of the United States, stated that the US government would continue to take "appropriate measures" against abuses of authority that harm fundamental freedoms.
Since July 2025, the US government has imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian exports and used the Magnitsky Act to sanction STF ministers including Alexandre de Moraes, revoking their visas along with those of seven other STF members and the Attorney General Paulo Gonet. These measures have been linked to the ongoing legal actions against Bolsonaro and his allies.
The Brazilian government, led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, reaffirmed its commitment to democracy and sovereignty in the face of these external pressures.
Sources: Itamaraty official statement; White House press conference with Karoline Leavitt; Federal Supreme Court of Brazil; reports from lnginnorthernbc.ca and infomoney.com.br, September 9-10, 2025.
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