Historic Verdict: Brazil’s Ex-President Bolsonaro Gets 27-Year Jail Term for Plotting Coup

International News: Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been sentenced to 27 years and 3 months in prison by a special bench of the Supreme Court in a historic verdict. He was accused of plotting a coup to save power after losing the 2022 elections.

For the first time a former president has been convicted of attacking democracy

Out of the five-member bench, four judges convicted Bolsonaro, while only one voted in his favor. This decision has made him the first former president in the country's history to be convicted of attacking democracy.

Justice Carmen Lucia commented, "This case is related to our past, present, and future. The evidence shows that Bolsonaro deliberately tried to undermine democratic institutions."

Five serious charges proven

The crimes Bolsonaro was convicted of include being part of an armed criminal organization, attempting to end democracy through violence, planning a coup, and damaging government and cultural heritage.

Trump's opposition and anger

This decision has created a stir in international politics. US President Donald Trump expressed anger over Bolsonaro's sentence and called it a "witch hunt," i.e., political persecution. He had earlier also targeted the Brazilian government and threatened to impose economic sanctions.

America's strong response

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also issued a strong statement saying that Washington would give an "appropriate response" to this decision. He accused Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Morais of human rights violations and called Bolsonaro's sentence unjust.

Son Eduardo's counterattack

The former president's son and MP Eduardo Bolsonaro gave an even sharper reaction. He called it a "move to impose dictatorship" and claimed that the US would soon impose more stringent sanctions on Brazilian officials.

Eduardo has already visited the US and met Trump and the US Finance Minister. He claims that it was because of his efforts that the US announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods.

International impact is certain

This decision of Brazil will not be limited to domestic politics. Its impact can not only strain the relations between the US and Brazil but can also create new political equations in Latin America.