Supreme Court to Decide Fate of Bolsonaro: Coup Allegations Loom

In a pivotal moment for Brazil's political landscape, the Supreme Court is considering evidence against Jair Bolsonaro amid claims he led a conspiracy to undermine the democratic election of current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The five-member panel is expected to make a ruling soon on whether to formally charge Bolsonaro, who insists he is a victim of political persecution aimed at thwarting his potential 2026 presidential run.

Despite Bolsonaro facing a ban from public office until 2030, stemming from accusations of spreading misinformation about Brazil's electoral integrity, he remains determined to challenge the ruling. His supporters notably camped outside military barracks after his defeat in the October 2022 election, pressuring armed forces to intervene. Following Lula’s inauguration, an insurrection erupted, which Bolsonaro denies any connection to, although investigations have described a coordination of efforts to maintain his rule. Sessions are underway where the judges will evaluate a federal police report detailing what it describes as a "criminal organization" led by Bolsonaro, orchestrating a coup to disrupt the democratic process, including extreme alleged plots against Lula and a Supreme Court justice.