Brasília (AFP) – Brazilians set fire to effigies of Donald Trump in protests across several cities Friday, denouncing the US president's politically motivated trade tariffs.
Anti-Trump protests were held in Brasilia, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, a sign of souring ties between two of the Americas' largest economies.
The demonstrations were modestly attended, but reflected broad anger at Trump's decision to put a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian exports and to sanction a top judge.
The mercurial US president has openly admitted he is punishing Brazil for prosecuting his political ally, ex-president Jair Bolsonaro.
The far-right Brazilian firebrand is currently on trial for plotting a coup after failing to win reelection in 2022.
"This Court, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Federal Police will not bow to these threats," he said during a court session.
And he vowed the court would remain "absolutely uncompromising in defending national sovereignty and its commitment to democracy."
Moraes has repeatedly taken aim at the Brazilian far-right and its figurehead Bolsonaro, as well as tech titan Elon Musk, over online disinformation.
He is also the presiding judge in the coup trial of Bolsonaro, who risks a 40-year prison sentence.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused Moraes of "serious human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention involving flagrant denials of fair trial guarantees and infringing on the freedom of expression."
Moraes recently ordered Bolsonaro to wear an electronic ankle bracelet pending the conclusion of his trial, and barred him from leaving his home at night or using social media pending an investigation into potential obstruction of justice.
Why effigies? Why not the man?
Mind sending him here for the burning?
If only I had that sort of mind control… we wouldn’t be in this mess!