On Sept. 11, Jair Bolsonaro, former Brazilian president, was given a 27 and a quarter year prison term by a panel of justices from Brazil’s Supreme Court. He was found guilty after his attempted military coup in 2022, when he lost the election to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. He was convicted on five charges, including participating in “an armed criminal organization” and violent attempted abolition of the democratic rule of law.
In an X post, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Justice Alexandre de Moraes — rapporteur in Bolsonaro’s case— and threatened retaliation, although no specifics were given.
“The United States will respond accordingly to this witch hunt.”
This echoes earlier statements from President Donald Trump, who imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Brazil and revoked visas for Moraes, his family, and his allies. Trump also accused Brazil’s judiciary of persecuting Bolsonaro. This rhetoric sparked outrage from President Lula, who condemned it as an attack on Brazilian sovereignty and reaffirmed their stance on democratic freedom principles.
“In Brazil, freedom of expression is not to be confused with aggression or violent practices.”
Despite previously having over a dozen coup attempts, this is the first time in history that Brazil has convicted a former president for undermining democracy.
