Brazil Supreme Court Nears Verdict on Bolsonaro Election Coup Plot

Brazil's Supreme Court is in the final phase of the historic trial against former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of orchestrating a coup attempt to overturn the 2022 presidential election won by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The trial, unprecedented in Brazil's history, involves allegations of a criminal organization including military and government allies, with Bolsonaro facing up to 43 years in prison if convicted, although health concerns may lead to house arrest. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is presiding over the case, emphasized judicial strength and national sovereignty in the face of external pressures, particularly from U.S. President Donald Trump. President Trump has condemned the trial as politically motivated, imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods, and sanctioned Brazilian justices, linking trade policy to judicial decisions and escalating diplomatic tensions. Eduardo Bolsonaro, the former president's son, is currently in the U.S. campaigning and under investigation for allegedly inviting Trump's interference, highlighting the international dimension of the case. The verdict, expected by September 12, could reshape Brazil's political landscape by barring Bolsonaro from future elections and testing the resilience of Brazil’s democracy amid rising political polarization and concerns about foreign influence.