Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court Justice suspended for 90 days the visits of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro to his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, after the senator published a political letter on social media written by the ex-president, violating court-imposed restrictions.
According to the ruling, Flávio Bolsonaro read and published a letter in which his father endorsed him as a presidential pre-candidate for the 2026 elections and defined him as his “spokesperson” and the “best option” for Brazil.
For Justice Moraes, this conduct violated the prohibition that prevents the former President from using social media, even indirectly.
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The decision came after the Court determined that the senator deviated from the purpose of a visit by disseminating political content on behalf of his father. The letter constituted a clear attempt to influence the electoral process from within the confines of house arrest, where Jair Bolsonaro has been held since November 2025.
Judge Alexandre de Moraes noted that the phrase used by Flávio Bolsonaro when presenting the document –“It’s unmissable, a very important message he wants to give to our entire nation”– suggests that the former President had knowledge of the publication. This formulation implied coordinated action between father and son to bypass the communication restrictions imposed by the Court.
O ministro do Supremo Tribunal Federal, Alexandre de Moraes, determinou a suspensão das visitas do senador Flávio Bolsonaro ao seu pai, o ex-presidente Jair Bolsonaro, pelo prazo de 90 dias. A medida foi tomada após o parlamentar realizar uma transmissão ao vivo na internet para… pic.twitter.com/cDw4WmiVRh
— GloboNews (@GloboNews) July 13, 2026
The magistrate also sent copies of the case to the Prosecutor General for Electoral Affairs to evaluate a possible investigation for alleged early electoral propaganda, a violation of Brazilian electoral law that prohibits campaigning before the official period begins.
Separated Until Elections
As a consequence of the ruling, father and son will not be able to meet until mid-October, after the first round of presidential elections, scheduled for October 4. The 90-day suspension effectively removes Flávio Bolsonaro’s physical access to his father during the critical period leading up to the vote, where the senator is positioning himself as a candidate.
The magistrate also granted a 48-hour deadline to Jair Bolsonaro’s defense team to clarify whether the ex-president knew that the letter would be publicly disclosed. The response could determine whether additional sanctions are imposed on the Brazilian former President, who is already serving a 27-year and three-month prison sentence for being found guilty of leading a criminal organization that attempted to perpetrate a coup d’état to remain in power after his defeat in the 2022 elections.
Judge Alexandre de Moraes further argued that the senator used the right to visit for a purpose different from that authorized by the Court and recalled that a similar precedent occurred in August 2025. That episode was one of the arguments that later led to the imposition of house arrest on the former President, demonstrating a pattern of behavior that the court deemed unacceptable.
The publication of the letter has also provoked a new crisis within the Liberal Party, amid growing tensions between Flávio Bolsonaro and former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro. While Flávio has positioned himself as his father’s political heir, Michelle has also been mentioned as a possible candidate, creating a rift that threatens to fragment the conservative base.
The Supreme Federal Court has maintained a firm stance on enforcing the restrictions imposed on Jair Bolsonaro, viewing the house arrest conditions as essential safeguards against further attempts to destabilize Brazil’s democratic institutions.
Brasília, 11/Jul/26
CARTA AOS BRASILEIROS
“Saudoso do contato com o povo, ao qual devo lealdade, escrevo num momento de decisão para o futuro de todos nós.
O momento é de arregaçar as mangas, deixarmos de lado as possíveis diferenças, e cada um se empenhar pelo nosso… pic.twitter.com/5WM7FCjXr4
— Flávio Bolsonaro (@FlavioBolsonaro) July 11, 2026
Text reads: “Letter to the Brazilians: Missing the contact with the people, to whom I owe allegiance, I write in a moment of decision for the future of all of us. It is time to rally around, leave aside possible differences, and let everyone strive for our candidacy for the presidency of Flávio Bolsonaro, the best option to free Brazil from corruption, violence, and impoverishment. My pre-candidate, I think yours too, my spokesperson in whom I trust to rescue Brazil and lead us toward peace and prosperity. A warm embrace to all with the certainty that, together, we will do everything for our homeland. God, Fatherland, Family and Liberty. Jair Bolsonaro @jairbolsonaro“
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