Jair Bolsonaro Convicted of Coup Plot and Faces 27 Years in Prison
Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro has been convicted of attempting to overturn the country’s 2022 election in a dramatic case that prosecutors say even included plans to assassinate President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and other top officials.
In a landmark ruling, four out of five Supreme Court justices voted to convict Bolsonaro on all charges, sentencing him to 27 years and three months in prison. The verdict marks one of the most significant legal decisions in Brazil’s modern history.
Charges and Coup Plot Details
Bolsonaro, 70, was found guilty of:
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Plotting a coup d’état
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Participation in an armed criminal organization
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Attempting to abolish Brazil’s democratic order by force
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Violent acts against state institutions
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Damaging protected public property during the January 8, 2023 riots, when his supporters stormed government buildings in Brasília.
Prosecutors argued that the plot included discussions of using explosives, military weapons, or poison to target Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who presided over the trial. Bolsonaro denied all wrongdoing.
Federal police presented evidence that Bolsonaro had “full knowledge” of plans to overturn the election results, pressure the military to intervene, and even set up a parallel crisis management office to run the country. Investigators say the scheme began as early as 2021, with efforts to discredit Brazil’s electoral system.
A Divided Nation
Justice Moraes, who was the first to cast a guilty vote, said the defendants “committed all the crimes charged by the Attorney General’s Office.” He was joined by justices Flávio Dino, Cármen Lúcia, and Cristiano Zanin. Only Justice Luiz Fux dissented, voting to acquit Bolsonaro and arguing the court lacked jurisdiction.
The verdict leaves Bolsonaro facing the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison, while also barring him from holding public office for eight years. Defense lawyers are expected to appeal, but once exhausted, the ruling becomes final.
The case has deeply polarized Brazil. On Independence Day, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters took to the streets to denounce the trial as political persecution.
His son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, accused Justice Moraes of acting like a “dictator” and condemned the conviction as an attack on democracy.
International Fallout and US Reaction
The conviction has also drawn sharp international reactions. US President Donald Trump, one of Bolsonaro’s closest allies, denounced the ruling as politically motivated. His administration has already imposed 50% tariffs on Brazil, sanctioned Justice Moraes, and placed visa restrictions on Brazilian court officials.
Speaking from the White House, Trump expressed surprise: “I thought he was a good president of Brazil, and it’s very surprising that that could happen.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also called the verdict “unjust,” warning that Washington would “respond accordingly.” Brazil’s foreign ministry, however, rejected outside pressure, saying the country would not be “intimidated.”
Latin America’s Trend of Convictions
Bolsonaro’s conviction adds him to a growing list of Latin American leaders facing legal troubles.
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Álvaro Uribe, Colombia’s former president, was sentenced last month to 12 years of house arrest for witness tampering and fraud.
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Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Argentina’s former leader, was convicted in 2022 on corruption charges tied to public contracts.
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Lula da Silva, Brazil’s current president, himself spent over a year in prison on corruption charges before his conviction was annulled.
What Comes Next?
As appeals move forward, Bolsonaro’s political future remains uncertain. While his supporters claim the case is a witch hunt, critics argue the ruling is a powerful defense of Brazil’s democracy.
With the 2026 general election approaching, the conviction could reshape Brazil’s political landscape, potentially weakening the country’s far-right movement while deepening tensions at home and abroad.