Sao Paulo, Brazil – Former President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 others have been indicted by Brazil’s federal police for allegedly plotting a coup to maintain his presidency after losing the 2022 elections. The sealed findings have been submitted to Brazil’s Supreme Court, which will then pass them on to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet to decide whether to formally charge Bolsonaro and initiate a trial or dismiss the case. Bolsonaro has responded by stating that he will fight the accusations, dismissing them as mere “creativity.”
Among those indicted are several former and current aides of Bolsonaro, including his running mate Gen. Walter Braga Netto and former Army commander Gen. Paulo Sérgio Nogueira de Oliveira. The investigations have also brought forth charges against Bolsonaro for various offenses, including smuggling diamond jewelry without proper declaration, falsifying COVID-19 vaccination status, and abusing his authority to undermine the country’s voting system.
Carlos Melo, a political science professor at Insper University, has noted that Bolsonaro’s political future is in jeopardy, with his chances of running in the 2026 elections already barred. Melo highlights the challenge of clearing Bolsonaro’s name in light of the evidence implicating him and his associates in wrongdoing. Meanwhile, legal experts like Eloísa Machado de Almeida have indicated that there is sufficient legal basis for filing charges against Bolsonaro.
Efforts to pass a bill pardoning individuals involved in the failed coup attempt in January 2023 face obstacles amid growing tensions and revelations from ongoing investigations. Recent arrests of military personnel and a Federal Police officer for allegedly plotting to assassinate political figures further underscore the volatile environment in Brazil. A recent bomb attack in Brasilia has heightened security concerns, reflecting the unstable political climate in the country.
In light of these developments, Bolsonaro’s once-sturdy position within Brazil’s right-wing landscape is now in peril, with the former president facing mounting legal challenges and potential consequences for his actions. The investigation into the alleged coup attempt underscores the gravity of the situation, as authorities continue to uncover new evidence and pursue justice in the face of political turmoil.