On the 8th, the Brazilian Attorney General's Office formally filed criminal charges against former President Jair Bolsonaro and 33 of his supporters, accusing them of "allegedly plotting a coup." Prosecutors allege that after Bolsonaro lost the 2022 presidential election to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, he attempted to prevent the transfer of power through "systematic actions," including plans to poison Lula and assassinate Supreme Court justices. If the Supreme Court accepts the case, Bolsonaro could face severe charges for undermining the country's democratic institutions.
According to a 272-page investigative report submitted by Attorney General Paulo Gonet, Bolsonaro and his vice-presidential candidate, Walter Braga Netto, are accused of leading a "criminal group" that included military personnel and civilian supporters. Prosecutors claim that the group began spreading false information about "election fraud" as early as July 2021, sowing distrust in the election results and ultimately inciting thousands of Bolsonaro supporters to storm the Congress, Supreme Court, and Presidential Palace on January 8, 2023.
The 69-year-old Bolsonaro has vehemently denied all allegations. On social media, he responded by calling the charges a "political witch hunt" orchestrated by the Lula administration, emphasizing that he "never supported any actions to undermine democracy."
The case will now be reviewed by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Although there is no legal deadline for a decision, Brazilian media, citing expert analysis, suggest that Moraes is likely to approve the case for trial, which could begin in the second half of this year. This decision will not only determine Bolsonaro's personal fate but also exacerbate political divisions within Brazilian society.
Analysts note that the trial process could significantly impact the 2026 presidential election. Despite being barred from running for office until 2030 due to "abusing power to question the election system," Bolsonaro remains a central figure in Brazil's right-wing camp. His approval rating currently stands at around 30%, and he continues to maintain a strong political presence through social media.
The repercussions of the Bolsonaro case have extended beyond Brazil's borders. Several Latin American countries have expressed concerns that the trial could deepen political polarization in the region. Argentina's Clarín commented, "Brazil's democratic resilience is being tested, and this trial could become a landmark case for how Latin America addresses populism."
As the case moves forward, Brazil faces the dual challenge of pursuing legal accountability for those accused of undermining democracy while preventing further societal divisions. Professor Márcia Lima of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro noted, "True democratic recovery requires not only judicial rulings but also institutional safeguards to prevent any forces from challenging election results in the future."
This trial, dubbed by international media as "Brazil's Trial of the Century," may redefine the democratic narrative of Latin America's largest nation.