Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison on Thursday after being convicted by Brazil’s Supreme Court for plotting a coup to stay in power following his 2022 election loss.
The landmark conviction, delivered by a panel of five justices, makes the 70-year-old the first former president in Brazil’s history to be found guilty of attacking democracy. The ruling immediately drew sharp criticism from Washington, with U.S. President Donald Trump calling it a “witch hunt” and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning the United States would respond.
Bolsonaro was convicted on five counts, including inciting a coup, organizing a criminal group aimed at dismantling democratic institutions, and attempting to block the peaceful transfer of power through violence.
Four justices voted to convict, with one dissent. He remains under house arrest in Brasília and has denied wrongdoing. His legal team plans to appeal.
Trump said he was “very unhappy” with the verdict, while Secretary of State Rubio condemned the case as “political persecution.”
Brazilian officials pushed back, accusing Washington of interfering in the judicial process.
REACTIONS FROM BRAZIL
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said his government acted “with much democratic caution and subtlety” but made clear Brazil would respond with reciprocity if sanctions follow.
Bolsonaro’s son, Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, warned that U.S. sanctions against Brazilian officials were likely and denounced the court’s ruling as proof of a “dictatorship.” He vowed to rally allies in Brazil and abroad.
Supporters of Bolsonaro have held protest rallies denouncing what they call political persecution. Some legislators are expected to explore amnesty proposals for those convicted in the coup cases.
Justice Luiz Fux, the lone dissenter on the Supreme Court panel, questioned whether there was sufficient evidence and whether the court had jurisdiction — arguments Bolsonaro’s legal team is expected to use on appeal.
