Brazil’s Supreme Court convicted Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday. The court ruled that he was part of a criminal group that tried to undermine democracy. This is the first time a former Brazilian president has been found guilty of plotting against democratic institutions.

Out of five judges, three voted to convict, one to acquit, and one has yet to vote. The majority was enough to secure Bolsonaro’s conviction.

This verdict strikes a major blow to Bolsonaro’s political ambitions. In 2023, the electoral court barred him from public office until 2030 for spreading false claims about Brazil’s voting system. Despite this, Bolsonaro has repeatedly declared plans to run in the 2026 presidential elections.

Trump Condemns the Verdict

The decision triggered tensions with the United States. Bolsonaro’s ally, US President Donald Trump, called the trial a “witch hunt.” In response, Trump raised tariffs on Brazilian goods, sanctioned the presiding judge, and revoked visas for most Supreme Court members.

Court Split Sparks Hope for Bolsonaro

Justice Luiz Fux voted to acquit Bolsonaro. His vote opened the door for appeals and challenges. This could delay the final outcome and bring the trial closer to the 2026 election season.

Bolsonaro’s supporters celebrated Fux’s vote. They saw it as proof of his innocence. “When coherence and a sense of justice prevail over vengeance and lies, there is no room for cruel persecution or biased judgments,”
Michelle Bolsonaro, his wife, posted online.

Bolsonaro’s Rise and Controversial Past

Bolsonaro began his career as an army paratrooper. In the late 1980s, he became a city lawmaker in Rio de Janeiro. Later, he joined Congress in Brasilia, gaining a reputation for defending Brazil’s military dictatorship, which ruled from 1964 to 1985.

In a past interview, he said Brazil would only change through a civil war, adding the military should have “killed 30,000 people.” At first, he was seen as a fringe politician. Over time, he built support by attacking corruption and promoting family values.

The 2014 mass protests, fueled by the “Car Wash” bribery scandal, gave Bolsonaro a platform. The scandal implicated many politicians, including President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose conviction was later overturned.

Bolsonaro’s anti-establishment message helped him win the 2018 presidential election. His victory brought dozens of far-right lawmakers into Congress.

As president, he:

• Downplayed COVID-19 and vaccines.

• Supported illegal mining and deforestation, pushing the Amazon to record destruction levels.

• Questioned whether he would accept election results.

In 2022, Bolsonaro lost to Lula in a close race, fueling political tension.

“I have three alternatives for my future: being arrested, killed, or victory,” Bolsonaro told evangelical leaders in 2021. “No man on Earth will threaten me.”

Coup Plot and January Riots

The case focuses on Bolsonaro’s plan to stop Lula from taking office. Justice Alexandre de Moraes accused Bolsonaro of inciting riots in January 2023, when thousands of supporters stormed Congress, the presidential palace, and the Supreme Court in Brasilia.

Moraes also presented evidence that Bolsonaro’s group planned to poison Lula and his vice president. Bolsonaro’s lawyers denied all charges, claiming he is innocent.

Military Leaders Also Found Guilty

Four other men with military backgrounds were also convicted. Among them was General Walter Braga Netto, Bolsonaro’s running mate in 2022.

This is the first time in 140 years that Brazilian military officials were punished for trying to overthrow democracy.

“The trial is a wake-up call for the Armed Forces,” said Carlos Fico, a historian at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. “They must be realizing that something has changed. There was never any punishment before, and now there is.”

Protecting Brazil’s Democracy

Brazil’s top judges say this trial is part of a broader fight to defend democracy.

They have targeted:

• Disinformation on social media.

• Politicians and activists spreading false claims.

Convicting a former president for a coup attempt shows their determination to protect democratic institutions.

Bolsonaro vowed to fight the verdict and stay relevant in politics. However, the ruling marks a turning point for Brazil, proving that no leader is above the law.