Jair Bolsonaro Sentenced to Over 27 Years in Prison for Coup Plot; U.S. Response Divides Opinion:

In a historic and deeply polarizing decision, a panel of Brazil’s Supreme Court has sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison for plotting a coup to remain in power after his defeat in the 2022 presidential election. The ruling marks the first time in Brazil’s history that a former president has been convicted for crimes against democracy. The panel of five justices ruled in a 4-1 vote that Bolsonaro was guilty of five serious charges, including participating in an armed criminal organization, attempting to violently subvert democracy, organizing a coup, and damaging protected government property and cultural heritage. One justice dissented, voting for acquittal. Justice Cármen Lúcia, a prominent voice on the court, delivered a forceful statement during the proceedings. "This criminal case is almost a meeting between Brazil and its past, its present, and its future," she said, referencing the country’s fraught history with military dictatorships. “There is ample evidence that Bolsonaro acted with the purpose of eroding democracy and institutions.” The verdict has sent shockwaves across Brazil and beyond, dealing a powerful blow to the far-right populist movement that Bolsonaro cultivated during his presidency. The case was rooted in Bolsonaro’s efforts to discredit the 2022 election results and mobilize military and civilian support to challenge the democratic transfer of power. International Reaction and Political Fallout The ruling has triggered a wave of international responses — some of them unexpectedly strong. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, a long-time ally of Bolsonaro, expressed "surprise" at the court’s decision. Trump had earlier criticized the legal actions against Bolsonaro as a "witch hunt," a phrase he repeated in the wake of the sentencing. In a sharply worded statement, Trump also warned of possible economic repercussions and called for sanctions against Brazilian officials. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Trump’s sentiments and vowed retaliation. “The political persecutions by sanctioned human rights abuser Alexandre de Moraes continue, as he and others on Brazil's Supreme Court have unjustly ruled to imprison former President Jair Bolsonaro,” Rubio wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “The United States will respond accordingly to this witch hunt.” Eduardo Bolsonaro: “A Dictatorship is Being Installed” Adding fuel to the fire, Bolsonaro’s son, Brazilian Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, lashed out at the ruling in an interview with Reuters. “A dictatorship is being installed in Brazil,” he said, claiming the court’s decision was politically motivated and designed to eliminate opposition voices. Eduardo, who relocated to the United States earlier this year, has been lobbying U.S. officials to intervene. Last month, he reportedly met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to push for sanctions against Brazilian justices involved in the trial. Eduardo also claimed credit for recent U.S. tariffs of up to 50% imposed on Brazilian imports — a move widely seen as a show of support for the Bolsonaro camp. “We expect additional U.S. sanctions against Brazilian officials in the coming weeks,” Eduardo told reporters, adding that he will continue to advocate for his father's release and for what he called the “restoration of democratic order” in Brazil. A Nation at a Crossroads While Bolsonaro’s supporters see the court’s decision as a political attack, many in Brazil see it as a critical step toward protecting democratic institutions. Human rights organizations and pro-democracy advocates have praised the ruling, stating it sends a clear message that no one is above the law. As Brazil grapples with the implications of the ruling, the nation remains deeply divided — between those who see Bolsonaro as a defender of conservative values and those who view him as a threat to democratic governance. One thing is certain: this case is not just about one man — it’s a defining moment for the future of democracy in Brazil.

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