Brazil‘s Supreme Court Moves to Convict Ex-President Bolsonaro in Coup Attempt
BRASILIA, Brazil - Brazil’s Supreme Court has formed a majority to convict former President Jair Bolsonaro for allegedly attempting to undermine the country’s democratic institutions, a move that severely strains relations with the United States. The case centers on accusations that Bolsonaro sought to overturn the results of the 2022 election and steer Brazil back towards authoritarian rule.
The escalating legal challenges come after Bolsonaro’s departure from office, where he served as Brazil’s first far-right president as the end of the military dictatorship in 1985.A former army captain, Bolsonaro rose to power quickly in 2019, having survived an assassination attempt in 2018. he cultivated a fiercely loyal, yet deeply divisive, base, particularly through his controversial handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The current legal action follows multiple investigations into abuse of power and falsifying COVID vaccination records. In 2023, Bolsonaro was already barred from holding public office until 2030 for spreading disinformation about Brazil’s voting system. Despite these setbacks, he remains a potent political force, having secured 49% of the vote in the 2022 presidential election and continuing to draw meaningful public support.
the case has drawn international attention, particularly from the U.S., where Bolsonaro enjoyed a close alliance with former President Donald Trump. Trump previously labeled the investigation a “witch hunt” and his administration imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods in August.
When asked Tuesday about potential further sanctions, White House press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated there were ”no additional actions to preview,” but emphasized the issue remains a priority for the administration. Leavitt further asserted, “This president is unafraid to use the economic might, the military might of the United States to protect free speech around the world.”
As Bolsonaro’s political future hangs in the balance, his allies are already positioning themselves to inherit his support base ahead of next year’s elections. For Brazil, the trial represents a critical moment of reckoning, confronting a history of coup attempts – including the 1964 military takeover – and seeking to hold a former leader accountable for actions that threatened its democracy.