Brazil: Police Accuse Bolsonaro of Coup Plot

Above: Former Brazil's Pres. Jair Bolsonaro speaks to supporters during a protest against the country's ban on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, on Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sept. 7, 2024. Image copyright: Maira Erlich/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Facts

  • In a statement issued on Thursday, Brazil's federal police formally accused former Pres. Jair Bolsonaro of plotting a coup d'état, trying to violently abolish the democratic rule of law, and involvement in a criminal organization after his 2022 election loss.

  • Three dozen other men were also accused — including four former cabinet ministers, the former intelligence chief, the chairman of Bolsonaro's Liberal Party, military personnel, and a political consultant to Argentina's Pres. Javier Milei.


The Spin

Left narrative

This may be just the first step toward holding Bolsonaro and his accomplices accountable for their coup attempt, but these recommended charges are great news because they indicate that investigators found enough evidence to believe they are guilty. It's shocking that a former president was behind a coup, and Bolsonaro eventually will end up in jail.

Right narrative

It's hardly a surprise that Brazilian authorities have formally called for Bolsonaro and several of his allies to be charged with coup plot. As long warned, the right-wing Brazilian leader has been politically persecuted since his first day out of office in a blatant example of leftist lawfare.


Metaculus Prediction


Political split

LEFT

RIGHT

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