In a landmark ruling by the Supreme court, Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro is Sentenced to 27 Years for Coup Plot: Trump and US Response Deepen Political Crisis. In a historic ruling that has shaken Brazil’s democracy and sent ripples across the globe, the country’s Supreme Court sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison for plotting a coup after his defeat in the 2022 presidential election.
The judgment, delivered by four of the five justices on the special panel, found Bolsonaro guilty of leading an armed criminal organization, attempting to abolish democratic rule by force, and inciting the January 8, 2023 riots in Brasília.
The decision, which also brought forward shocking allegations of assassination plots against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, has polarized the nation, triggered US political intervention, and further entrenched Bolsonaro’s controversial legacy. This in-depth report examines the verdict, Bolsonaro’s history, the political fallout, US reactions—including those of Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio—and what lies ahead for Brazil’s turbulent democracy.
Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro is Sentenced to 27 Years for Coup Plot: Trump and US Response Deepen Political Crisis
Bolsonaro’s Coup Plot: What the Court Found
The Five Charges
The former Brazilian president, known as the “Trump of the Tropics,” was convicted on five major counts:
- Attempted coup d’état – trying to annul the results of the 2022 election.
- Leading an armed criminal organization – conspiring with loyalists to retain power.
- Attempted violent abolition of democratic rule of law – undermining constitutional order.
- Damage qualified by violence – destruction of public property during the January 8 riots.
- Deterioration of listed heritage – vandalism of protected government buildings.
The Coup Timeline
Prosecutors presented evidence that Bolsonaro began sowing doubts about Brazil’s electronic voting system as early as 2021. By late 2022, after losing the election to Lula, he allegedly discussed emergency decrees with military leaders and encouraged his supporters to mobilize.
The plan, prosecutors argued, escalated into the January 8, 2023 storming of the presidential palace, Congress, and the Supreme Court—an event eerily similar to the January 6, 2021 attack in Washington, D.C.
Assassination Allegations
The most shocking claim involved a plan to assassinate Lula, Alckmin, and Justice Moraes using weapons, explosives, or poison. Federal police said Bolsonaro had “full knowledge” of these discussions, although the plot was never carried out.
The Verdict: 4-1 Against Bolsonaro
On Thursday, four justices of Brazil’s Supreme Court panel voted to convict Bolsonaro.
- Justice Alexandre de Moraes – the presiding judge and frequent Bolsonaro critic – was the first to cast a guilty vote, declaring the ex-president had “committed all the criminal offenses.”
- Justice Cármen Lúcia delivered the decisive vote, calling Bolsonaro the “trigger” of the January 8 insurgency.
- Justices Flávio Dino and Cristiano Zanin also sided with conviction.
- Justice Luiz Fux dissented, voting for acquittal and arguing that Lula had never been removed from power, so the events did not amount to a coup.
The 4-1 verdict resulted in a 27-year and three-month prison sentence, far below the maximum of 43 years, with the court citing Bolsonaro’s age (70) and health issues as mitigating factors.
Bolsonaro’s Reaction: “Political Persecution”
Bolsonaro, who followed proceedings from his Brasília residence due to health problems linked to a 2018 stabbing, denounced the trial as a “witch hunt.” His defense lawyers insisted the case was politically motivated to prevent him from running in the 2026 presidential election.
“This is political persecution. They want to silence me and destroy the right-wing movement in Brazil,” Bolsonaro said in a statement.
Despite being barred from holding public office until 2030 for earlier spreading misinformation about elections, Bolsonaro had hoped to challenge the ban. The coup conviction now makes that return highly unlikely.
Bolsonaro’s Legacy: From Army Captain to “Trump of the Tropics”
Military Roots
Born in 1955 to a Catholic family of Italian descent, Bolsonaro entered the Brazilian Army before transitioning to politics. Known for disobeying orders, he carried his military toughness into his political career.
Rise to Power
- Rose to prominence after the 2016 impeachment of Dilma Rousseff, railing against corruption and left-wing politics.
- Survived a knife attack in 2018 that nearly killed him—an event that made him a “Messiah” figure to his supporters.
- Won the 2018 presidential election, riding on the support of the “Bibles, Bullets, and Beef” coalition (Evangelical Christians, security hardliners, and agribusiness).
Presidency (2019–2022)
- Known for Covid-19 denialism, calling the virus a “little flu,” as over 700,000 Brazilians died.
- Oversaw massive Amazon deforestation and weakened environmental protections.
- Strengthened ties with Donald Trump, earning the nickname “Trump of the Tropics.”
Also Read: From political outsider to a president like no other: Bolsonaro’s rise and fall
The January 8 Riots: Brazil’s “January 6”
On January 8, 2023, thousands of Bolsonaro’s supporters stormed Congress, the Supreme Court, and the presidential palace, demanding military intervention to remove Lula.
The attacks caused widespread destruction, including damage to historic artworks and government property. Prosecutors argued the riots were the culmination of Bolsonaro’s coup strategy.
Justice Lúcia compared the attempted coup to a “virus” threatening democracy, warning against future “relapses.”
US Response: Trump, Rubio, and Sanctions
Trump’s Defense of Bolsonaro
Donald Trump, who has faced his own criminal charges in the US, strongly defended Bolsonaro:
“It’s very much what they tried to do with me. He was a good man, a good president of Brazil. I don’t see that happening,” Trump told reporters.
Trump has already imposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports and sanctioned Justice Alexandre de Moraes, accusing him of human rights abuses.
Marco Rubio’s Statement
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the ruling a “witch hunt” and vowed that the US would “respond accordingly.”
Brazil’s Foreign Ministry denounced Rubio’s comments as an attack on national sovereignty.
Eduardo Bolsonaro’s Lobbying
Bolsonaro’s son Eduardo, now living in the US, has successfully lobbied for sanctions and warned that further US action against Brazil may follow.
Brazil’s Political Divide
Supporters Rally Behind Bolsonaro
Tens of thousands of Bolsonaro loyalists protested the verdict, claiming the court has destroyed democracy under the pretext of defending it.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the ex-president’s son, accused Justice Moraes of acting like a dictator.
Congress and Amnesty Push
Allied lawmakers are already pushing for an amnesty bill that could pardon Bolsonaro and his co-defendants.
Lula’s Government Responds
President Lula’s administration has framed the conviction as a victory for democracy and vowed not to let authoritarianism resurface.
What Happens Next?
Appeals and Legal Path
Bolsonaro’s lawyers plan to appeal, but Supreme Court rules allow appeals only if there are at least two dissenting votes. With only one dissent, the chances of overturning the verdict are slim.
Prison or House Arrest?
For now, Bolsonaro remains under house arrest. If the sentence becomes final, he may be moved to a special incarceration facility for former presidents, rather than a regular prison.
Political Future
- Already barred from office until 2030, Bolsonaro’s conviction makes a 2026 comeback nearly impossible.
- His influence within the right-wing movement remains strong, and he may seek to anoint a successor to challenge Lula.
Bolsonaro in Context: Latin America’s Convicted Leaders
Bolsonaro joins a growing list of Latin American leaders convicted of crimes:
- Álvaro Uribe (Colombia) – 12 years of house arrest (fraud and bribery).
- Cristina Fernández de Kirchner (Argentina) – corruption conviction in 2022.
- Lula da Silva (Brazil) – imprisoned for corruption in 2017 before conviction annulled.
The region’s turbulent politics show a recurring cycle of presidents facing prosecution.
Conclusion: Brazil’s Test of Democracy
Jair Bolsonaro’s 27-year sentence marks the first time a former Brazilian president has been convicted for attacking democracy itself.
The ruling deepens Brazil’s political polarization, sparks international tension with the United States, and raises questions about the resilience of democratic institutions in Latin America’s largest country.
As Bolsonaro remains under house arrest, appeals loom, and his supporters mobilize, Brazil faces an uncertain path. Whether this verdict becomes a turning point against authoritarianism or fuels further instability will shape not only Brazil’s political future but also its relations with the world.
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