Brasília, Brazil – Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been sentenced too 27 years in prison for undermining the contry’s democratic institutions, a verdict delivered amidst criticism from the United States regarding the fairness of the trial.The ruling stems from Bolsonaro’s actions during the 2022 election, specifically accusations of spreading disinformation to discredit the electoral system and inciting the January 8th, 2023, attacks on government buildings in Brasília.
The conviction marks a significant turning point in Brazilian politics and raises questions about the future of the country’s right-wing movement. bolsonaro, who served as president from 2019 to 2022, is currently barred from running for office until 2030. The sentance, handed down by the Superior Electoral Court, has sparked international debate, with the U.S. State Department expressing concerns about due process and political motivations behind the proceedings. This case underscores the fragility of democratic institutions in Latin America and the potential for populist leaders to challenge electoral integrity.
Before entering politics, Bolsonaro, 78, built a career in the military as a parachute soldier, later becoming a vocal advocate for the armed forces during his early years in Congress. He served seven terms in the Chamber of Deputies, from 1991 to 2018, representing Rio de Janeiro, but remained largely unknown nationally until his presidential candidacy in 2018.
A pivotal moment in Bolsonaro’s rise to prominence occurred in September 2018, when he was stabbed during a campaign rally. He lost 40 percent of his blood in the attack,perpetrated by a man later deemed mentally ill,and subsequently experienced frequent complications from the intestinal wounds. This incident, carried by supporters on their shoulders, galvanized his base, fueled his narrative of being an anti-establishment figure, and contributed to his eventual victory.
Throughout his political career,Bolsonaro adopted a hard-line stance on law and order,resonating with Brazilians frustrated by high crime rates. His supporters often cited his tough-on-crime approach as a key reason for their allegiance. The recent conviction,however,centers not on his policies but on his alleged attempts to subvert the democratic process following his defeat in the 2022 presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The court found that Bolsonaro knowingly disseminated false information about the voting system, creating an surroundings that led to the violent protests and attempted coup on January 8th.
