In a landmark decision that has reverberated far beyond Brazil’s borders, the country’s Supreme Court on September 11, 2025, convicted former President Jair Bolsonaro of attempting a coup to remain in power after his defeat in the 2022 presidential election. The verdict, delivered by a 4-1 vote from a panel of justices, sentenced Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison. The ruling, which also condemned seven of his closest allies to lengthy sentences, marks the first time in Brazil’s tumultuous history that high-ranking military officials have been held criminally accountable for a coup attempt.
The Supreme Court’s judgment, as reported by AP, found Bolsonaro guilty on five charges, including leading an armed criminal organization and attempting to abolish democracy. The sentencing phase took place in Brasilia, the nation’s capital, and saw the former president—temporarily allowed out of house arrest for medical treatment—at the center of a storm of protests and celebrations. Supporters held vigils outside his home, clutching Bibles and national flags, while opponents gathered in bars and public squares to toast what they saw as a long-overdue reckoning.
Bolsonaro’s co-defendants included some of the most powerful figures in Brazil’s recent history. Among them were Lieutenant Mauro Cid, his former aide-de-camp, who received two years of house arrest after striking a plea bargain; Alexandre Ramagem, former chief of the National Intelligence Agency, sentenced to 16 years; Army General Paulo Sergio Nogueira, the ex-defense minister, who received 19 years; Retired Army General Augusto Heleno, handed 21 years; Admiral Almir Garnier Santos, the former navy commander, given 24 years; Anderson Torres, Bolsonaro’s former justice minister, also sentenced to 24 years; and General Walter Braga Neto, the 2022 vice presidential running mate and identified by the court as a co-ringleader of the coup plot, who received the harshest sentence at 26 years.
The historical significance of the verdict was not lost on Brazilians. As De-Linking Brazil noted, it was the first time any high-ranking military officer has faced prison for participating in a coup in a country that has suffered repeated military interventions since the late 19th century. Gilberto Carvalho, Brazil’s National Secretary for the Solidarity Economy, captured the mood among many on the left: “The ruling makes us happy. Not because of hatred or a thirst for revenge but because it represents a defense of Brazil’s democracy. Those who lived through the military dictatorship, and saw the torture and killings of those who tried to resist it, understand what I am talking about.”
Paulo Mansan, from the Landless Rural Workers Movement (MST), echoed this sentiment, stating, “We believe that it’s a fair verdict because they attempted a coup d’état. Beyond that, it represents a historical rectification for the great injustice that has happened in Brazil, including all of the people who were murdered fighting against the military coup of 1964 and the dictatorship that followed. It’s symbolically important to now have army generals convicted of a coup attempt.”
Yet, the legal process is not quite over. According to Brazilian law, as explained by De-Linking Brazil, defense attorneys have five working days from the verdict to file limited appeals. These can include a motion for clarification—used to address inconsistencies or errors in the ruling—and a motion for review, which can pressure for a second ruling by the full eleven-member court. However, because only one justice, Luis Fux, dissented, the likelihood of a successful review is slim. The Supreme Court has up to 60 days to respond to appeals and issue the terms for the arrests, though recent cases have seen swifter action, sometimes within two weeks.
The international fallout was immediate and fierce. U.S. President Donald Trump, a vocal ally of Bolsonaro, denounced the proceedings as a “witch hunt” and Washington responded with sanctions. In an op-ed for The New York Times addressed directly to Trump, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva defended the Supreme Court’s decision, writing, “This was not a ‘witch hunt’ as Trump and other US officials have called the trial.” Lula continued, “I am proud of the Supreme Court verdict which safeguards our institutions and the democratic rule of law.”
Brazilian officials and social movements rallied behind the verdict, framing it as a defense of democracy and a necessary step after years of political turbulence. Lula’s public stance, published on September 15, 2025, reinforced Brazil’s commitment to sovereignty and the rule of law, even in the face of external criticism and economic pressure. “Brazilian democracy and sovereignty are non-negotiable,” Lula declared.
Bolsonaro’s lawyers have announced their intention to appeal. For now, the former president remains under house arrest in Brasilia, a city under heavy police guard during the trial and its aftermath. On September 14, 2025, he was temporarily released from house arrest to seek medical treatment, a brief respite from the intense public scrutiny and legal peril he faces.
The public reaction across Brazil was as polarized as the country itself. Supporters of Bolsonaro, many of whom see him as a bulwark against leftist policies and corruption, staged protests in major cities like Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Some wept openly during vigils outside his residence, praying and waving American flags in a show of solidarity. Others, particularly those who suffered under the military dictatorship or have long advocated for accountability, celebrated the court’s decision as a long-awaited victory for justice and the rule of law.
Security was tight throughout the proceedings. Police with dogs patrolled the Supreme Court and Bolsonaro’s residence, and armored vehicles were stationed nearby. The mood in Brasilia alternated between tense and jubilant as the verdict was announced and its implications sank in. Demonstrators on both sides of the political divide made their voices heard, with chants, music, and even samba songs marking the occasion.
While the immediate future for Bolsonaro and his associates remains uncertain pending the outcome of appeals, the Supreme Court’s ruling has already made history. It has set a precedent for holding even the most powerful accountable, regardless of their rank or influence, and has sent a clear message about the resilience of Brazil’s democratic institutions.
As the dust settles, Brazil stands at a crossroads. The conviction of a former president and military leaders for plotting a coup is a watershed moment, not just for the country, but for democratic governance in the region. The coming weeks will reveal whether the legal process can withstand domestic and international pressures, but for now, the world watches closely as Brazil navigates this extraordinary chapter in its history.