Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison on Thursday after the country’s Supreme Court convicted him of attempting a coup to remain in power following his 2022 electoral defeat to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.The unprecedented ruling handed down by a panel of five justices, four of whom voted to convict, makes Bolsonaro the first former Brazilian leader found guilty of trying to overturn a democratic election. He was convicted on five counts, including plotting to abolish the rule of law, belonging to an armed criminal organisation, and inciting violence.Bolsonaro, who has consistently denied wrongdoing, remains under house arrest in Brasilia. He can still appeal the decision. The court now has 60 days to publish the ruling, after which his lawyers will have five days to file motions for clarification. Legal experts say such appeals rarely change outcomes.
US condemns decision, warns of response
The ruling immediately sparked international backlash, most notably from Washington. US President Donald Trump said he was “very unhappy” with the conviction, calling Bolsonaro “outstanding.”Secretary of state Marco Rubio denounced the ruling as a “witch hunt” in a post on X, vowing the Trump administration would “respond accordingly.” The United States had already slapped a 50 per cent tariff on Brazilian goods earlier this year, citing the case against Bolsonaro — a move analysts say foreshadowed further sanctions.
Divided Brazil, inflamed politics
In Brazil, the trial has inflamed political tensions. Supporters of the far-right leader have taken to the streets, claiming the case is political persecution. His eldest son, Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, called the verdict a “supreme persecution,” insisting history would vindicate his father.Justice Cármen Lúcia, siding with the majority, said she was persuaded by evidence from the Attorney General’s Office. “He is the instigator, the leader of an organisation that orchestrated every possible move to maintain or seize power,” she said. Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw the case, branded Bolsonaro the head of a criminal coup plot.President Lula said Thursday that “hundreds of pieces of evidence” showed Bolsonaro attempted a coup against Brazil’s democracy.
Bolsonaro’s future
Bolsonaro is already barred from running for office until 2030 in a separate case, but he remains an influential figure in Brazilian politics. Observers expect him to back a political heir to challenge Lula in the next election.Despite Thursday’s ruling, Bolsonaro will not immediately go to prison. But with appeals unlikely to succeed and diplomatic tensions rising, Brazil now faces a volatile period of political and international fallout.