Ex-President of Brazil, Bolsonaro, is undergoing a court trial. Possible penalties if found guilty
In the heart of South America, Brazil is navigating a political storm as its former president, Jair Bolsonaro, stands trial for a conspiracy to overturn his electoral defeat. The Supreme Court of Brazil is taking a firm stance to prevent future coup attempts and draw a line, ensuring accountability for those involved.
The alleged conspiracy, which began in 2021 and intensified after Bolsonaro's loss in the 2022 election, is said to have culminated in the invasion of government buildings in Brasilia on January 8, 2023. This event, reminiscent of the Capitol riots in the U.S., involved the invasion of Congress, the Supreme Court building, and the presidential palace.
Bolsonaro faces charges including armed conspiracy, attempting to overthrow the rule of law, and destruction of public property. Besides the former president, the persons implicated or condemned in connection with the conspiracy to destabilize Brazil include his former Defense Minister Walter Braga Netto, his former advisor Mauro Cid, and others such as Anderson Torres, Augusto Heleno, Paulo Sergio Nogueira, and Alexandre Ramagem. Notably, Brazil's Supreme Court justice Luiz Fux has cleared Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and judge Alexandre de Moraes of such accusations.
The future of the Brazilian government, which will try for reelection next year, depends heavily on the economy's condition next year. The Brazilian economy, closely tied to the U.S. economy, has been affected by the 50% tariffs imposed by President Trump, causing exports to the U.S. to decrease by 18% in August 2025. Several industries in Brazil are scared that these tariffs could deliver them a death blow, as the U.S. is Brazil's main buyer of manufactured goods and Brazil relies on American industrial inputs.
The Brazilian government is trying to expand trade deals with other countries, such as Mexico and the European Union, as a long-term strategy to counter the short-term problem caused by the U.S. tariffs. However, the conservative caucus in Brazil's Congress is pushing for an unconstitutional amnesty bill for Bolsonaro and his supporters. The Supreme Court is expected to strike down this bill, potentially leading to a political win for the conservatives by blaming the court for overreach.
President Trump has pressured Brazil to drop the case against Bolsonaro, but the Brazilian government, wary of retaliation due to its economic dependence on the U.S., has remained steadfast in its commitment to uphold the rule of law. This case sets apart from previous attempts to overthrow democracy in Brazil as the Supreme Court is trying to hold those involved accountable.
Gustavo Ribeiro, reporting for Brazilian Report, will continue to follow this developing story closely.
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