Brazil Supreme Court Convicts Bolsonaro, Allies for Coup Attempt

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was found guilty by the Supreme Court of attempting a coup to overturn the 2022 election results and was sentenced to over 27 years in prison. The court ruled that Bolsonaro orchestrated a multipronged plan including casting doubt on Brazil's electronic voting system, seeking military support, and plotting assassinations of key officials. His conviction, along with the sentencing of several high-ranking military officers involved, marks a historic moment ending Brazil's military era in politics but has intensified political tensions. Bolsonaro's lone dissenting justice, Luiz Fux, argued the court lacked jurisdiction, paving a potential legal pathway for appeal or annulment amid upcoming judicial and political shifts. The verdict has strained Brazil-U.S. relations, with U.S. President Donald Trump denouncing the ruling as a "witch hunt" and maintaining tariffs on Brazilian goods, while Brazil vows to defend its sovereignty against foreign interference. Bolsonaro’s supporters remain active in calling for amnesty, and political conservatives are positioning for influence in the 2026 elections, potentially shaping judicial appointments and future legal outcomes.