Bolsonaro Claims ‘Paranoia’ Led to Ankle Monitor Tampering

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has attributed his alleged tampering with a court-ordered ankle monitor to a state of “paranoia.” The incident occurred shortly before his detention on Saturday, following a Supreme Court ruling that classified him as a high flight risk. Bolsonaro, 70, had been under house arrest while appealing a conviction related to a coup-plotting scheme aimed at preventing leftist leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from assuming office after the 2022 elections.

Bolsonaro was sentenced in September 2023 to 27 years in prison for leading a criminal organization that sought to maintain his “authoritarian hold on power.” The court’s decision to detain him was influenced by the proximity of the US embassy to his residence, raising concerns about potential flight. During a hearing in Brasilia on Sunday, Bolsonaro claimed that medication had caused him to act irrationally, stating, “I experienced a certain paranoia between Friday and Saturday.”

In a video released by the Supreme Court, Bolsonaro acknowledged using a soldering iron on his monitoring device out of “curiosity.” The footage revealed a damaged and burned ankle monitor still attached to him. He insisted that he did not intend to flee and denied any intent to break the device.

Legal Troubles and International Implications

Bolsonaro’s legal challenges have put Brazil’s conservative electorate in a difficult position as the country approaches the 2026 presidential elections. Lula, who has announced his candidacy for a fourth term at the age of 80, responded to concerns about the implications of Bolsonaro’s arrest on US-Brazil relations during a press conference at the G20 summit in Johannesburg. He emphasized Brazil’s sovereignty, asserting, “What is decided here is decided.”

In September, Bolsonaro was convicted for a conspiracy that allegedly involved plans to assassinate Lula, his vice president Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes. The former president’s defense team plans to appeal his detention, citing concerns for his health, as he suffers from recurring abdominal issues stemming from a stabbing incident during the 2018 campaign.

Bolsonaro remains a prominent figure in Brazilian politics, particularly among his large conservative base. His conviction, however, raises questions about the future of his political career and the direction of Brazil’s political landscape as it heads towards the next election cycle.